Beermen shoot for 2-0 Finals advantage

Fresh off a thrilling victory in the Finals opener, San Miguel is gearing up to extend their lead to 2-0 against Magnolia as they resume action in their PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven title series on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The game is set to tip off at 6:15 p.m.

In Game 1, the Beermen secured a 103-95 win with a powerful offensive display led by Best Import candidate Bennie Boatwright, who scored an impressive 28 points, and CJ Perez with 19.

Despite seeing their commanding 20-point lead dwindle to just five towards the end of the game, as Magnolia’s bench players mounted a spirited comeback, the Beermen managed to stave off their opponents and clinch the victory.

SMB coach Jorge Gallent conceded that Magnolia is not a team that easily succumbs to deficits.

“It’s their pressure defense. They tried to disrupt our offense. We just have to settle, and know who to go to,” said Gallent.

The 6-time PBL champion mentor emphasized that maintaining a composed style of basketball has consistently served as a guiding principle for the SMB players.

“When you play a top team like Magnolia, you will have to play 48 minutes of basketball. If you don’t, this is what is going to happen,” he said. “They will have a run, and it’s good, we just didn’t panic. That’s the main thing, the players were composed. They know how to win.”

After a demanding semifinal battle with the Phoenix Fuel Masters, the Hotshots had just one day to ready themselves for the Finals against the Beermen.

However, given Magnolia’s strong desire to clinch a championship, having last achieved this feat in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, it is anticipated that the Hotshots will mount a robust comeback in Game 2.

Gallent remains confident in this expectation.

“I’m sure they will come out strong, and we need to match their intensity and energy.”