Magnolia looks to extend its winning run to six to further solidify its hold of the top spot when it tackles Meralco in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
A victory in the 7 p.m. game would push the Hotshots (7-1 won-lost) closer to a twice-to-beat bonus in the playoffs.
But they are in a precarious situation with four other teams having the potential to steal the show in the crucial stretch of the elimination round.
Trailing closely behind are Barangay Ginebra (7-2), Alaska and Blackwater (6-2), and Phoenix (6-3). One wrong step and Magnolia could lose its chance for the bonus.
Up to challenge Magnolia is Meralco, which, at 2-6, is in dire need to pile more wins to advance further in the conference.
“Right now, our record is quite good but that’s not our goal. It’s really the big picture,” Hotshots Head Coach Chito Victolero said as the franchise targets its first title since 2014.
“We still have three games—against Meralco, TNT and Ginebra. We’re just taking it one game at a time,” Victolero added.
Jio Jalalon came up big against Alaska with his 18 points that complimented Romeo Travis’s 19 points in an 83-73 victory last Sunday.
On the same night, Meralco escaped past NLEX, 108-105, to remain in contention for the playoffs.
Import Allen Durham listed monstrous numbers of 36 points and 18 rebounds, while Baser Amer added 22 points, including clutch baskets in the final minute.
In the first game, Rain or Shine (2-4) battles already eliminated Columbian Dyip (0-9) at 4:30 p.m.