Beermen, Hotshots clash in crucial rematch

MANILA, Philippines — Seventy-two days after their title dispute in the previous conference, San Miguel Beer and Magnolia face off again today in a gigantic PBA Philippine Cup duel of rampaging squads at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The unbeaten Beermen shoot for their eighth consecutive victory at 7:30 p.m. against a Hotshots rival bent not only on making it five straight and 6-2 overall in the All-Filipino but also getting back at their 2-4 conquerors in the Commissioner’s Cup finale.

Equally with high stakes is the 4:30 p.m. clash between 10th-running Meralco (3-5) and 11th-running Phoenix (3-6), which are hoping to get into the Magic 8.

Notes: Aiming to plug the hole in the wing spot created by injuries to Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray, Barangay Ginebra signed up free agent David Murrell. To make room for the slam dunk champ, the Gin Kings relegated veteran Jarred Dillinger to their “unrestricted free agent with rights to salary” list.