Hotshots expect physical game vs ROS

MANILA, Philippines — Undefeated pacesetter Magnolia braces for a rougher road ahead with rivals gunning for its scalp with more fervor and the race for the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs heating up.

“Sabi ko nga sa mga players, lahat ‘yan na they want to beat us because they want to boost their confidence with a victory against us. So that will be foremost on our minds,” said coach Chito Victolero, whose crew is off to a sizzling 6-0 start in the season-ending conference.

The Hotshots, who hammered out a 117-92 demolition of defending champion Meralco in a fight-marred duel last Wednesday, stake their spotless mark today against another physical squad and contender, Rain or Shine (3-2).

Game time is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal with Magnolia closing in on a quarterfinal ticket if victorious and ROS cracking the Top 4 if successful in taking down the former.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao hopes the 11-day break had given bigs Beau Belga, Caelan Tiongson and Keith Datu extra time to heal their injuries.

San Miguel (4-2) shoots for solo third in the 5 p.m. opener versus Terrafirma (1-6), teetering on the brink of elimination.