GINEBRA and Magnolia clash tonight in the latest version of the “Manila Clasico” with contrasting fates awaiting them.
The Kings squandered a 17-point lead and lost to Converge 91-98 last Saturday in Batangas City while the Hotshots squeaked past NLEX 99-95 in overtime last Friday to snap a four-game losing streak.
Which sibling will emerge triumphant on Christmas Day will be known when the Kings take on the Hotshots in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is set at 7:30 p.m. with the combatants expected to bring their A-Game and treat true-blue fans to a night to remember on the most wonderful time of the year.
The FiberXers and the Meralco Bolts offer an interesting side story when they clash in the curtain-raiser at 5 o’clock.
“We have a lot of injuries,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said, referring to Paul Lee who suffered a head injury before their game against the Road Warriors, and Mark Barroca, who was hurt after a collision with teammate Calvin Abueva late in the tiff. “There’s no excuses, but hopefully we’re complete before the Ginebra game.”
“I talked to the players and said sorry o them but we needed to have a playoff-like mentality because of the urgency to be on the next level … which they showed (against NLEX),” he added.
With Lee and Barroca doubtful, the Hotshots will pin their hopes on import Ricardo Ratliffe, Zavier Lucero, Abueva, Aris Dionisio, and Jerome Lastimosa in their bid to hike their 2-4 slate.
With a 3-2 card, the Kings are equally determined to make up for the stunning setback at the hands of the FiberXers and will rely on star reinforcement Justin Brownlee, former MVP Scottie Thompson, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Troy Rosario.
Meralco is aching to atone for a 98-114 defeat to Blackwater last Dec. 12 against a Converge quintet seeking a fourth straight victory in the mid-season tourney.
The Kings and the Hotshots surely will not want to disappoint their backers who are likely will come in droves.
