Hotshots seek own fightback
Game today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 7 p.m. – Magnolia vs Alaska Game 1: Magnolia 100, Alaska 84; Game 2: Magnolia 77, Alaska 71; Game 3: Alaska 100, Magnolia 71
It’s the Magnolia Hotshots’ turn to respond or the momentum could completely shift to the other side with the series reduced to a best-ofthree affair.
Stopped on their tracks Sunday, the Hotshots are regrouping and hope to make their own fightback from a shattering loss as they again take a shot at moving in the threshold of the PBA Governors Cup diadem.
The Aces, meanwhile, look to play with the same energy, intensity and effort they dished out in their 100-71 blowout win in Game Three as they try to force a two-game-all deadlock in the best-of-seven title series.
The critical Game Four is set at 7 p.m. tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, shortly after the awarding of the Best Player of the Conference and the Best Import.
Paul Lee has emerged as the top choice for the BPC award over Chris Banchero and Christian Standhardinger while the Best Import plum is a tossup between Mike Harris and Romeo Travis.
Harris recalled his form as a mean machine Sunday, churning out game-highs of 36 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Aces to their 29-point demolition of the Hotshots.
It was Magnolia’s worst defeat in PBA finals that’s a cause for concern for the Aces now as it may well be a driving force for the Hotshots to come out strong in Game Four.
“I’d rather be up 2-1 after winning by one point in overtime,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton, moments after Game Three.
“They responded (from back-to-back losses in Games One and Two) as we knew they would, and it’s our turn to respond now,” said Travis on what they intend to do in Game Four.
Travis felt they suffered from complacency after their own blowout win in Game One (100-74) then their grind-out triumph in Game Two (77-71).
“I’d tried to warn the guys and warn myself about complacency – just thinking that we can show up and win. But we are not good enough to do that. We are not talented enough to just show up. We have to work hard, but they outworked us on both ends and in all facets of the game,” said Travis.