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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Bolts, Hotshots go for jugular

Bolts, Hotshots go for jugular

Published Jul 29, 2022 09:42 am

Meralco and Magnolia aim to deliver the killer blows in Game 2 of their respective quarterfinals showdowns in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, July 29 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Meralco tries to end the string of playoff misfortunes at the hands of Ginebra (PBA Images)

The Bolts look to finally end their playoff futility and eliminate bitter rival Barangay Ginebra Kings in the curtain raiser at 3 p.m. while the Hotshots hope to finish off the NLEX Road Warriors and catch the last bus to the semis in the second game at 6 p.m.

Both Meralco and Magnolia drew first blood in their respective series openers last Sunday and moved one win away from joining San Miguel Beer and TNT in the semifinal round.

The Bolts who clobbered the Kings in their first game are bracing for a huge fightback in Game 2 although they are equally eager to close the chapter of their storied rivalry this conference.

“As much as the guys played well (in Game 1) we know what Ginebra is about. They’re gonna come back hard in the second game. We just need to come back on the growing board and see what other things we can do and try to get them uncomfortable,” said Bolts stand-in coach Luigi Trillo.

“We have a lot of respect for them. They got all around the board, the list goes on and on,” added the veteran mentor who plotted a perfect defensive plan against the Kings, even completely shutting down LA Tenorio who went scoreless as well as the team’s bench scoring.

Aaron Black, Allein Maliksi and Chris Newsome led the way for the Bolts in the 93-82 series opening win while Scottie Thompson paced the Kings with 29 big points

Cone however urged his bench to step up in Game 2 if they wish to live for another day and force a rubbermatch on Sunday.

Magnolia, meanwhile, wants to assert its mastery over NLEX as it goes for its ninth win in a row in Game 2. Head coach Chito Victolero believes his team is peaking at the right time as they try to avoid going into a deathmatch against a still dangerous Road Warriors team.

“Ang maganda ngayon kumpleto kami Pau (Lee)l is healthy, Mark (Barroca) is healthy. Everybody nag cocontribute. We don’t think about the winning streak. We started itong quarterfinals na ibang mindset. We're focused on the playoffs,” said head coach Chito Victolero.

NLEX head tactician Yeng Guiao, on the other hand, hopes the return of Kevin Alas and Kris Rosales could be the answer to their struggle against the fast-paced attack of the Hotshots which resulted in their 98-89 downfall in Game 1.

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