HOW do you topple a potent team like Magnolia?
Hopefully, that question could be answered by Meralco when it battles Magnolia today in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinals duel in the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 3 p.m. before defending champion Ginebra tackles NLEX in the nightcap at 6 o’clock.
Coach Norman Black gamely admitted the Bolts will have their hands full against the Hotshots.
“They’re pretty much a powerhouse team right now in the PBA. Their import is probably right up there with the top imports of the league,” Black said. “So, they’re a problem that we will try to solve.”
Boosted by a twice-to-beat advantage, fourth-ranked Meralco made short work of another powerhouse squad in No. 5 San Miguel Beer 100-85 last Friday in their quarterfinals battle.
The Bolts’ big triumph over the Beermen gives Black the belief his charges have what it takes.
“I believe we can beat any team on any night but in a series, it becomes a different problem because it’s a long period of time,” Black said. “No team is unbeatable, in other words.”
Import Tony Bishop, Allein Maliksi, Cliff Hodge, Chris Newsome, and Chris Banchero are expected to spearhead Meralco’s attack.
Like the Bolts, No. 1 Magnolia waylaid Phoenix Super LPG 127-88 in their quarters tussle also last Friday.
Hotshots tactician Chito Victolero reminded his players not to keep their feet off the pedal.
“I’m very happy because nakalusot na kami sa quarters but this is only half of our goal. The other half is in the semis and finals,” Victolero said. “So, wala pa kaming naa-achive dito. Nandito lang kami, a step closer to our goal but we need to stay focused and locked in.”
The likes of reinforcement Mike Harris, Calvin Abueva, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, and Ian Sangalang will be counted upon by Magnolia.
The seventh seeded Kings completed the ouster of fancied No. 3 TNT 115-95 last Saturday despite the Tropang Giga’s win-once incentive.
Ginebra strategist Tim Cone maintained having a good start in a race-to-three series should spell the big difference and added what makes the Road Warriors a tough foe is coach Yeng Guiao.
“We will try to set the tone in Game 1 especially since it’s a five-game series. It’s a quick series and Game 1 is crucial,” Cone said. “I get to go against Yeng Guiao which is never fun, never ever fun (going up) against Yeng Guiao. You don’t look forward to that.”
