PBA
Magnolia vs NorthPort QF
Whether NorthPort’s high-octane offense would be enough to negate Magnolia’s stifling defense in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals matchup would be known Thursday when they collide at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
By mainly banking on the three-headed threats from Arvin Tolentino, import Kadeem Jack and Joshua Munzon, the Batang Pier emerged as the top seed from the 12-game eliminations and thus earned a win-once advantage over the eighth-ranked Hotshots.
Still, Magnolia’s ability to make stops and harass its opponents, displayed to the fullest in its last four games, make coach Chito Victolero optimistic about his side’s chances to at least extend the duel into a decider.
“I like our chances because right now we’re playing well (on) both ends of the floor,” said Victolero moments after his team carved out a 112-81 win over NLEX in their knockout game for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth last Sunday.
“Ang pinakagusto ko lang, we’re all healthy. I think this is only the second or third game na we’re fully healthy,” added Victolero. “So that’s why I’m very confident that although nandito kami sa sit’wasyon na do-or-die I’m very confident na we can battle, every time, every game.
“Yes, we’re the underdogs in this series because we’re (practically) down, one and zero, right now, but I like our chances.”
Indeed, Magnolia’s health issues were done away with at the most opportune time, stoking its surge from a 3-6 record with victories over Phoenix, Hong Kong Eastern and Meralco before the KO match with NLEX.
In those wins, the Hotshots limited their opponents to an average of 88.75 points and enabled them to rise to No. 2 behind Barangay Ginebra in points allowed with a 93.77 ppg norm.
That defense should be severely tested by a NorthPort crew that usually churns out a conference-leading 109.67 ppg, thanks mainly to Jack’s average of 31.67 ppg, Tolentino’s 23.0 ppg, and Munzon’s 18.42 ppg.
The Batang Pier beat the Hotshots, 107-103, in their lone elimination round meeting last Dec. 4 when Jack, Tolentino and Munzon combined for 82 points.