DEFENDING champion TNT pushed Magnolia on the brink with a runaway 102-84 win in Game 4 last Wednesday night, but Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes warned his wards not to count out the Hotshots.
“Good thing we have veterans. They’ve been here before, so they know how difficult it is to get that (fourth win). The most difficult win in any series is the fourth,” Reyes said. “We just have to make sure to remind them of it but more importantly put them in a position to come and play their best in Game 5 and that will be determined by our rest and recovery and preparation.”
“There’s nothing much to be said. They know the most difficult win to get in any series is the No. 4 (win). We have to be extra ready for it,” he added.
TNT tries to show Magnolia the door and reach the Big Dance when they square off today in Game 5 of their best-of-7 semifinals duel in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match is set at 3 p.m., with the Tropang Giga taking their first of three tries to return to the best-of-7 finals of the same tourney they won against the Hotshots in Bacolor last year.
Meralco seeks a fitting follow-up to its 111-97 victory in Game 4 when it takes on San Miguel Beer in the nightcap at 6 o’clock and a 3-2 lead in the race-to-4 series.
The likes of Mikey Williams, JP Erram, Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy are expected to carry the fight for TNT.
Magnolia tactician Chito Victolero was flabbergasted with his team’s foul woes that spelled doom in their two straight loses.
“I don’t know what we will adjust but that’s our game (physical). From the eliminations hanggang dito we just try to play our defense but we’re always in foul trouble. My key players like Calvin (Abueva), Ian (Sangalang), Paul (Lee), they’re always in foul trouble. I don’t know how we can adjust,” Victolero said.
“For the last two games, iyan na iyon. Palagi kaming foul trouble. That is the key, we need to play defense because that’s our strength. Kung hindi kami makakadepensa, wala kaming chance dito.”
Bloodied but unbowed, the Hotshots will pin their hopes on Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Jio Jalalon, and Calvin Abueva.
