San Miguel def Magnolia, 100-98 [PBA S47 Govs’ Cup | Feb. 5, 2023]

San Miguel aims to stretch its unbeaten start and forge a tie at the top of the PBA Governors’ Cup when it clashes with Magnolia at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

All signs point to the Beermen prevailing over the 0-2 Hotshots and improving their record to 4-0 for a share of the early lead with idle Converge.

Still, SMB coach Jorge Gallent expects his team to have its hands full while also believing the game should help his team along as it moves forward in the season-ending tourney.

“It’s gonna be a tough game,” said Gallent following his Beermen’s 122-102 shellacking of Terrafirma last Friday. “This will test us… if our defense and offense are really gonna work.”

Thus far, the tinkering Gallent has done with the team since taking over before the conference has worked well as it has resulted in a winning average of 20 points in its first three games while holding its opponents to 93.6 ppg.

Gallent maintains that his Beermen being more cohesive is something they have worked on while playing better defense is high on their agenda. “I always tell the team to play as one, to share the ball. That’s the main thing,” asserted Gallent.

“For you to win a basketball game you have to share the ball, and that’s what the players are doing. Defensively, we’re kind of doing okay. But we can work things out more.”