FINALLY getting over the hump is what drives Magnolia in its quest to earn a trip to the finals, even as NLEX is desperate to force a decider in their competitive best-of-seven semifinal series in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Will tonight be the night that the Hotshots, ahead 3-2 in the series, return to the finals after several years of falling short?
They certainly hope so as they look to close out the series against the Road Warriors in Game 6 of their grueling showdown at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Last season, the Hotshots made the semis in all three tournaments, only to fall short of making the finals.
Now, they want to write a different story and it is in their hands.
“This is now our best chance to get out of the semifinals and make the finals,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. “We’re in this situation now and we don’t want to waste it.”
Still, Victolero knows that it is still not a done deal.
“Wala pa kaming dapat i-celebrate. We need four wins to get to the finals and that’s what we’re looking for.”
Magnolia moved a game away from the finals after taking the pivotal Game 5, 87-78, Sunday night in a grinder of a victory.
Star spitfires Paul Lee and Mark Barroca stepped it up to ensure their team’s success, combining for 33 points to show the way for the Hotshots.
Also, Magnolia’s stingy defense forced NLEX to shoot only 37.5 percent from the floor.
The Road Warriors are expected to fight for their lives with desperation with no more tomorrow for them should they lose.
The task might even be tougher as guard Kevin Alas, who already missed most of Game 5, might once again be unavailable due to a knee injury.
His availability will be a gametime decision.