FOUR teams coming off sorry defeats will all try to regain their winnings ways and who will emerge with the much-needed wins will be known today.
Magnolia faces winless Terrafirma in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Game time is set for 5 o’clock before NLEX and Meralco also seek a big bounce back from their setbacks the last time out in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m.
Hotshots coach Chito Victolero is not one to count out the hapless Dyip despite their 0-8 slate.
“Ang problema lang, madalas na they can get off to a good start pero parang nawawala sila, usually sa second half,” Victolero said. “Pero hindi sila puwedeng i-take lightly dahil nga baka ma-tiyempuhan ka.
“If you look at the numbers, nasa upper half kami in terms of points for and points allowed,” he added.
Magnolia will go into the duel smarting from a heart-rending 92-95 loss to Ginebra in the ‘Manila Clasico’ last Chrisday Day that dropped the Hotshots to 2-5.
Import Ricardo Ratliffe, Paul Lee, Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, Zavier Lucero, and Jerom Lastimosa will be counted upon anew by the Hotshots.
“Ang problema namin is the endgame. Hindi kami maka-close out ng game, which is parang nakakabigla kasi iyon ang strength namin before,” Victolero said.
“We’re a good defensive team plus the fact that we have players who can close the game, mga clutch players.”
Despite their struggles, Victolero is unfazed.
“Positive naman mga players, although iyon nga, masakit mga talo namin,” he said. “Tsaka our destiny remains in our hands. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, try to dig deep and grind it out in our next games and let’s see.”
Terrafirma absorbed a 108-122 defeat to Phoenix last Tuesday and will rely on reinforcement Brandon Edwards, Louie Sangalang, Brent Paraiso, Mark Nonoy, and Kemark Carino.
The Bolts fell to the TNT Tropang Giga 99-101 last Tuesday.
With a 4-3 card, Meralco will bank on import Akil Mitchell, Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Bong Quinto, Aaron Black, and Raymond Almazan.
The Road Warriors absorbed a 95-99 loss to the Hotshots last Dec. 20 to fall to 3-4.
Best import of the conference pacesetter Mike Watkins, Robert Bolick, Kevin Alas, and Robbie Herndon are expected to banner NLEX’s charge.