Magnolia stakes perfect start vs Terrafirma

Games Today (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City) 12:30 p.m. — Terrafirma vs Magnolia 3 p.m. — TNT vs Rain or Shine 6 p.m. — Ginebra vs NorthPort

Unbeaten Magnolia shoots for its fourth straight victory when it meets winless Terrafirma today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Inspired by its 89-79 win over defending champion Barangay Ginebra San

Miguel last July 25, the Hotshots hope to continue their strong start in the 12:30 p.m. opener against the 0-2 Dyip.

Hotshots coach Chito Victolero said the game against the Kings was a good gauge of where they are now as a team, although he reminded his players that it’s all about being consistent.

“It’s a testament of our character. It’s also a good test for us because after kami manalo sa first to games, malaking panalo yung nakuha naming uli against an elite team in Ginebra,” said Victolero.

“Kumbaga yung first quarter naming sa conference na ‘to masasabi ko so far so good… pero ang reminder ko sa buong team dapat maging consistent kami, mas mag-improve pa kami. Sabi ko sa mga players wala naman nagcha-champion ng 3-0 kaya ready lang kami.”

In their last game, Paul Lee led the Hotshots with 22 points, while Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca added 17 and points, respectively. New recruit Calvin Abueva had 15 points off the bench for Magnolia.

Terrafirma, on the other hand, fell 108-94 to NLEX, also last Sunday.

Victolero said that just like in their Ginebra game, they expect a tough encounter against Dyip, who have the league’s top picks the last two years in Joshua Munzon (2021) and Roosevelt Adams (2019).

“It’s all about having the proper mindset. We treat this game like the first three games… kung ano ang mindset namin sa last game versus Ginebra ganun pa din sa game against Terrafirma,” said Victolero.

“May advantage kami siguro ng konti sa experience, but in terms of talent meron naman ang Terrafirma. Ang maganda lang din sa team namin so far is maganda ang chemistry ngayon and alam ng bawat players ang role nila sa team.”