Magnolia, San Miguel dispute early PH Cup lead

Magnolia and San Miguel – two teams that had a perfect start to PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup – stake their unbeaten records and a chance to claim the early lead in the standings when they lock horns at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, April 16. Magnolia and San Miguel – two teams that had a perfect start to PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup – stake their unbeaten records and a chance to claim the early lead in the standings when they lock horns at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, April 16. The Beermen and the Hotshots figure in the marquee collision in the main event at 7:30 p.

m. with the clash between last conference’s semifinalist NorthPort and Rain or Shine serving as a fitting appetizer in the first offering at 5 p.m.



Although they are looking exactly like the same dominant team that reached the Finals of the all-Filipino conference last season, the Beermen are seeing the duel against the Hotshots as a huge challenge. “It will be a huge game for us and Magnolia. But I'm really worried about Magnolia because they're playing a lot better,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria who is wary of Magnolia's depth, especially on the frontcourt which could be a problem for his main man June Mar Fajardo.

“ From start to finish, they're using six big men. We have only four. They're in top shape,” he added.

True to Austria’s observations, Magnolia has been relying heavily on its inside play through the first two games with the big man combination of Ian Sangalang and Zav Lucero leading the way for the team. In the Hotshots’ 83-71 win against the Converge FiberXers, who boast a potent frontline in Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar, Lucero and Sangalang outplayed them and scored 18 points each and combined for 14 rebounds. On top of that, Russel Escoto also provided ample support with 11 off the bench while Magnolia still has the likes of Calvin Abueva and James Laput to help out defensively.

Fajardo, however, isn’t exactly stranger to the number of big men thrown to defend at him, having faced it almost throughout his career in the league. But that is not to say that SMB is a one-man wrecking crew – not especially with a team that also has the likes of Marcio Lassiter, CJ Perez, Juami Tiongson, Don Trollano and the resurgent Jeron Teng..