Beermen see Hotshots as huge threat

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent said the team will be treating Magnolia as a “threat” to them and their unbeaten streak in the PBA Philippine Cup as the two Goliaths clash in a colossal matchup Friday evening. 

The 7-0 Beermen and the 5-2 Hotshots will face each other in the main event of Friday’s double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Both teams are riding winning streaks, as Magnolia has won its last four games. 

The Beermen and the Hotshots are aiming to grab the early twice-to-beat advantage in the All-Filipino conference. 

Gallent, after San Miguel’s 120-100 win over the NorthPort Batang Pier last Sunday, said that the twice-to-beat advantage is surely in both teams’ minds. 

“Well, we just have to treat Magnolia as a team that’s a threat to us, because you know they’re also trying to get that twice-to-beat advantage. I’m sure that’s also what’s in their mind,” the coach told reporters. 

“We just have to play well and do the things we have to do to beat a team like Magnolia. They’re on a four-game winning streak, so on Friday, whose streak will be snapped?” he added. 

Just two months ago, the Beermen won the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship against the Hotshots in six games. 

Gallent also underscored that the team is deep enough to contain and match the energy of Hotshots Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang, who have been playing well in the past few games. 

“I am not worried about them. I am worried about the whole Magnolia team,” he said. 

He likewise emphasized the importance of sharing the ball for a team like San Miguel, as unselfishness makes them “a great team.” 

“As I would tell them, if San Miguel Beer or my players share the ball, we’re a great team. But if we don’t share the ball, we’re just a normal team.” 

The two teams will battle it out at 7:30 p.m. The first game of the double feature will be between the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the Meralco Bolts, set at 4:30 p.m.