ONE IS back to a very familiar place, while the other looks forward to a whole new achievement.
It’s experience against youth when Magnolia and NLEX open their intriguing best-of-seven semifinals clash in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Game 1 is scheduled today at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with both teams looking to have an early jumpstart.
While the Hotshots are back in familiar territory, the Road Warriors had actually just made their first appearance in the semis since joining the league in 2014.
Being a veteran and consistent team, the Hotshots are very used to being in this stage.
In fact, this is actually the fourth straight conference wherein they made the last four. They are hoping that this time around, they can finally get over the hump and enter the finals, something they haven’t done for quite sometime now.
“It’s about learning from our experiences last season. We’re hoping to finally get it right in the semis and make the finals this time,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
For semis newcomer NLEX, it is hoping that the first time is the charm as veteran mentor Yeng Guiao hopes to continue the magic his team is tasting in its historic campaign thus far.
“The players really wanted this. They wanted to be here in the semifinals and I’m expecting them to continue showing the hunger even against a veteran and tough team like Magnolia,” said Guiao.