MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots and Alaska Aces plunge back into action Wednesday night as they begin their 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In Game 1 at 7 o’clock, the Hotshots eye their 14th PBA title as a franchise while the Aces aim for their 15th crown.
The Hotshots reached the Finals for the second time this season by dethroning back-to-back titlist Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings while the Aces got rid of the two-time runners-up Meralco Bolts in their semifinals series.
Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero said he likes his team’s chances against the Aces.
“Wala akong nakikitang advantage namin pero wala rin naman akong nakikitang disadvantage. Pero siyempre positive kami na kaya namin kunin ang championship,” said Victolero.
The PBA took a two-week break to give way to the fifth window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier games.
“Malaking bagay iyong break for the players na may mga nararamdaman din,” Victolero said, pertaining to key players Romeo Travis, Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang, who were all nursing minor injuries.
Aces mentor Alex Compton, for his part, said that, while both teams have the same brand of play, he was wary of the Hotshots’ explosive guards Lee, Andy Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon.
“I have no idea how the series would go. What do I know? I expect a great series,” said Compton. “Alam natin na magagaling ang guards ng Magnolia but how they’re playing as a team is the bigger issue.”
“I love how they play offensively and defensively. Ibig sabihin niyan I would hate watching the tape to review their game. But, again, I expect a great series with Magnolia,” he added.
This is the first time the Hotshots and the Aces are facing off in a Finals series since the 2010 PBA Philippine Cup, where the James Yap-led Purefoods swept the Aces in four games./PN
