MAGNOLIA chief assistant coach Jason Webb insisted the Hotshots’ sights are not only trained on a top two finish that will reward them a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals — they also want to get better.
“Ang outlook at gustong gawin ni coach Chito (Victolero) ay game to game basis,” Webb, who spoke in lieu of coach Chito Victolero, said after Magnolia turned back Phoenix 90-80 four days ago. “So, we’re done with Phoenix. Our record is only secondary to the present.
Our next target is San Miguel, which is another test.
“Whatever happens at the end is either a blessing if makakuha kami ng twice-to-beat or we end up anywhere in the quarterfinals is good for us but what is important is, are we getting better in the process in this 12-game stretch?” he added.
The Hotshots seek to extend their winning run to three and clinch a quarterfinals slot when they take on San Miguel Beer today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match is set at 5:45 p.m. after TNT squares off with Meralco in the curtain-raiser at 3 o’clock.
Import Nick Rakocevic, Calvin Abueva, Jio Jalalon, Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, and Ian Sangalang will be counted upon by Magnolia in its bid to hike its 7-1 mark.
The Beermen are raring to redeem themselves from a numbing 96-97 loss to Ginebra last Nov. 6.
Carrying a 3-4 slate, SMB will pin its hopes on reinforcement Devon Scott, CJ Perez, Vic Manuel, Marcio Lassiter, and Mo Tautuaa.
“We’re going to play some really tough teams in this next round, coming back, so the quality of the practices is going to mean a lot. . . so that’s going to be the focus,” Tropang Giga tactician Chot Reyes, who is back after steering Gilas Pilipinas to a two-game sweep of its road games in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, said.
TNT blasted Terrafirma 121-90 last Nov. 5 that raised its card to 4-4.
Import Cameron Oliver, Jayson Castro, Roger Pogoy, and Calvin Oftana will carry the fight for the Tropang Giga, who are expected to have gunner Mikey Williams back after sitting out two games due to a team-imposed suspension for missing practice.
“Right now, all the wins we can get are very important,” Bolts strategist Norman Black said.
“If we can just get KJ (McDaniels) in better shape, in real game shape like he’s used to being, we’ll become a better team. I think he will just get better.”
With a 3-5 record that included a 102-98 triumph over Blackwater last Friday, Meralco will lean on reinforcement KJ McDaniels, Allein Maliksi, Bong Quinto, Raymond Almazan, Chris Banchero, and Aaron Black.
