by Jonas Terrado
Game Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. – San Miguel vs Magnolia
Magnolia overcame a 17-point third quarter deficit before surviving Rain or Shine, 63-60, in a defensive-minded overtime encounter to advance to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ian Sangalang made timely baskets after being held scoreless through three quarters and veteran center Rafi Reavis made big rebounds on both ends to seal the Hotshots’ hard-fought victory despite trailing 39-22 in the third.
Sangalang scored all 11 points in the fourth and overtime while Reavis grabbed 20 rebounds to help Magnolia arrange a best-of-seven title showdown with defending champion San Miguel Beer.
The finals which begins Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum will be a rematch of last year’s showdown won by San Miguel in five games.
Coach Chito Victolero praised his team for defying the odds yet again after Magnolia started the conference with three straight losses, overcame a Game 1 loss to beat Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-three quarters and lost the first two games of the semis series.
“I keep on telling them to stay positive and stay in the game because it was only the third quarter,” said Victolero after steering the Hotshots to their third finals appearance in the last four conferences.
James Yap scored 14 points but his efforts fell short as Rain or Shine blew a golden chance of reaching the finals since winning the Commissioner’s Cup in 2016.
