Ian braces for tougher defense

Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok center Ian Sangalang is steeling himself for more stingy defending from the San Miguel Beermen after he was held in check in a 92-77 loss in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals last Sunday.

Sangalang finished with 12 points but made half of that output in the game's first three minutes as the Beermen threw almost everything they could to make sure the fourth year southpaw won't duplicate his stirring Game 1 performance where the Hotshots rallied to take a 105-103 win.

“Pag dating ko sa poste, nagkocollapse sila,” Sangalang said. “May naghe-help sa gilid, kada-dribble ko may tumatapik.”

San Miguel's Arwind Santos for most of the time guarded Sangalang at the right side of the post, with June Mar Fajardo and Chris Ross at times providing the double whenever needed.

Hard-nosed veteran Billy Mamaril was also used for a brief moment to put Sangalang out of his comfort zone.

Sangalang had some mild success on defense, taking turns with Kyle Pascual and Rafi Reavis in limiting Best Player of the Conference candidate June Mar Fajardo to 12 points, but was dealt four personal fouls in the process.

He, however, rued seeing San Miguel's wingmen such as Santos and Lassiter make up for Fajardo's struggles by knocking down key shots in the second quarter breakaway and in the fourth quarter where the Beermen foiled Magnolia's rally from two 21-point deficits.

“Na-limit namin si June Mar kaso yung shooters naman ang nakakashoot,” he said.

The best-of-seven series resumes tomorrow night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, returning to the venue where Sangalang erupted for 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter of the stunning Game 1 comeback.

Though it may take a lot from him to replicate that feat, Sangalang is confident of at least making his presence felt for the rest of the title showdown.

“Okay yung adjustment nila (sa Game 2),” Sangalang said. “By next game siguro, may laban naman kami dun.”