IT MIGHT be the Holy Week, but there’s nothing solemn about the hostilities in the finals of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Through two games, the finale is starting to intensify further as combatants San Miguel Beer and Magnolia are starting to heat things up by taking their level of play up a notch, showing how badly each of them want the crown.
After the Hotshots pulled off a classic win in Game 1 to stun San Miguel Beer, the Beermen emphatically bounced back in Game 2 to send a strong message.
The defending champions reminded Magnolia that they are not the three-time reigning title holders for nothing.
To avoid a 0-2 hole after a huge meltdown in the series opener, San Miguel Beer flexed its championship muscles Sunday night to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1 with a dominant 92-77 victory in Game 2 over Magnolia.
The heat and intensity leveled up in Game 2 as the two teams figured in several intense spats, with neither wanting to give any ground.
Aside from the physicality, there were several instances wherein players from the rival squads got into it.
Beerman Arwind Santos and Hotshot
got involved in a verbal tussle midway in the fourth period, while SMB’s Chris Ross continued doing what he does best—seek a mental edge.
Once the result is beyond doubt, Ross appeared to be taunting the Magnolia bench in a loose ball sequence.
Several possessions later, Hotshots’ big man Rodney Brondial returned the favor by dishing a hard blind pick to Ross.
With Game 3 still on Easter Sunday, the protagonists are currently enjoying ample time to cool down and rest before resuming their war.
“We’re very happy that the series is tied going into the Holy Week,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “The rest will also be huge for us. We need that.”