Best Player: Ian Sangalang with 17 points and 12 rebounds #PBAPhilCupFinals #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)
The Magnolia Hotshots are off to a good start in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals, after taking Game One from the San Miguel Beermen, 99-94, in the best-of-seven championship series last Wednesday, May 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Paul Lee led the way for his team with 18 points and six rebounds, while Ian Sangalang soon followed with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon chipped 17 and 16 points respectively. Rafi Reavis also added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Justin Melton had a double-digit performance as well with 11 points.
On the other hand, running Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo scored a total of 35 points – 15 of those points solely in the fourth quarter. He also contributed 21 rebounds for the Beermen, who are the four-time defending champions. He was aided by Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, and Von Pessumal who chipped 18, 13, and 11 points respectively.
After the game, Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero told the press in a mix of English and Filipino, “I talked to my players during halftime. I told them that we can’t beat San Miguel in an offensive game. They scored 55 in the first half and that isn’t our game. Although we were able to shoot, we weren’t able to do what we’re known for – what our identity is. So, I’m very happy that they responded and we had to play defense in the second half.” He elaborated, “The key is we limit them under 100 points. We can’t be at the same pace as them,” adding, “It doesn’t end here. We learned from experience. We know that San Miguel will keep coming back. It’s only game one. It’s nice that we started well first, but nobody won a best-of-seven series with only one game.”
Game Two of the series is on Friday, May 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.