The big stage is set for “five-peat” seeking San Miguel Beer and Magnolia as they start hostilities in the best-of-seven finals of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
With their eyes on the prize, the Beermen and the Hotshots both seek a banging start in Game 1 at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
These teams are no strangers as this finals’ showcase will be a rematch of last year’s finale in which San Miguel took, 4-1, to claim its fourth straight All-Filipino conference jewel.
San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria understands the threat that Magnolia presents, especially after it bagged the Governors’ Cup championship, cementing it as a legitimate championship team.
“’Yung mga pinagdaanan nila gave them experience and maturity,” said the multi-titled Austria. “I believe that they would be very competitive against us.”
According to Magnolia tactician Chito Victolero, his team is easily the underdog as he cited the tremendous firepower that the defending champion possesses.
“They (Beermen) are already strong, but they added Christian Standhardinger and Terrence Romeo. That’s a lot of talent there,” said Victolero, who is shooting for his second straight championship. “
San Miguel Beer dispatched Phoenix in a grueling and highly-physical semifinals series, 4-1, to advance as its championship poise and firepower proved too much.
On the other hand, Magnolia had the tougher road to the finals, needing seven games to get rid of Rain or Shine, 4-3.
The Beermen, led by five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, is gunning for an unprecedented fifth straight Philippine Cup crown, an extension to its already tremendous record of four in a row.
As for the Hotshots, they are seeking revenge as well with their second straight championship.