Magnolia, Rain or Shine in KO match

Sunday’s big event

MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia, a team rich in winning tradition in all-Filipino tournaments, and Rain or Shine, a youth-laden side looking to at least start its own, clash one last time in their hard-fought semifinal series tonight to determine which one gets to challenge early finalist San Miguel Beer for the coveted 2019 PBA Philippine Cup crown.

“Basically, it’s now all about the will and the desire of the players. Whoever wants it more on Sunday will win this,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose wards are seeking to get a crack at the diadem being held by four-peat champs Beermen while also bidding for their seventh Phl Cup title in franchise history.

The Elasto Painters brought their semis duel to a Game 7 after a brave 91-81 verdict in the sixth match last Friday in Antipolo, a feat that coach Caloy Garcia would love to duplicate in the  6:30 p.m. rubbermatch at the MOA Arena.

“It’s still 50-50. But as long as we come out and play hard, hit our shots like in Game Six, and become aggressive in attacking the basket, we’ll have a chance,” said Garcia, who’s looking to steer ROS to its first All-Pinoy finale since 2013 when it lost to eventual Grand Slam winner San Mig Coffee.

Garcia hopes his young guns, led by Game 6 hero Rey Nambatac, will rise to the occassion in the pressure-packed knockout match, especially when ranged against veterans over at the Magnolia camp like Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, and Justin Melton.

“In Game Six, I told them not to think about the repercussions of the game, just play the way you’re supposed to play and be relaxed. Come Game Seven, I think we just have to do the same. However, Magnolia has been in this situation before and has the upperhand in terms of experience but we’ll keep on fighting. I told the guys we just have to trust each other and let’s see what happens in Game Seven,” Garcia said.

Victolero reiterated experience alone won’t decide the outcome.

“It’s not just experience. You also need will and effort, everything. So we will give everything on Sunday. Hopefully, we can survive this Game Seven,” said Victolero.

The Hotshots bungled a golden opportunity to finish off the E-Painters as they couldn’t find an answer to the four-triple explosion of Nambatac in the fourth.

“They outworked us. They were more aggressive than us and they wanted it more than us,” admitted Victolero. “Fortunately, we still have a Game Seven. We’ll review the tapes and see what’s needed so be done. But we’ll be ready.”

Nambatac said he took to heart what veteran Beau Belga told the ROS youth brigade about the magical experience of going to a Game Seven of the import-less conference.

“As Beau told us, this conference is our best opportunity to prove ourselves and our best chance to reach the finals and possibly win the championship,” said Nambatac, who’s looking forward to his first career rubbermatch. “I’m cherishing this moment, not everyone gets to enjoy this great experience of playing in a great seven-game series.” 

Notes: James Yap has a lot of experience playing in pressure-packed KO matches like this, but this will be his first under the banner of Rain or Shine. Interestingly, he’s up against the very team with whom he spent many playoffs basketball before. “I’m not giving it too much thought, or else I’ll be more pressured. I’ll take it as a regular game and give it my best.”