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Two powerhouse teams in the PBA Philippine Cup—San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Hotshots—are set to collide in a marquee matchup this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With both squads coming off impressive 2-0 starts, this encounter promises high stakes, intense action, and significant implications before the league enters a week-long Holy Week break.
Both Teams Seeking Redemption After Lackluster Commissioner’s Cup
San Miguel and Magnolia share a common goal: to shake off the disappointment from their subpar performances in the Commissioner’s Cup. For San Miguel, the sting was especially painful. The Beermen’s 5-7 record not only dropped them to a 10th-place finish but also snapped their remarkable 22-conference playoff streak. It marked the first time in over a decade that the decorated franchise missed the postseason.
Magnolia, while faring slightly better with a 6-6 elimination round record, also bowed out early after a quarterfinals loss to top-seeded NorthPort. That early exit has fueled the Hotshots’ determination to re-establish themselves as serious contenders in the all-Filipino tournament.
Strong Starts Reinforce Championship Aspirations
So far in the Philippine Cup, both teams have come out with a renewed sense of urgency and identity.
San Miguel launched its campaign with a 98-89 win over NLEX and followed it up with a dominant 110-98 triumph against Meralco during a special retro-themed game on April 9 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. That second win also coincided with the PBA’s golden anniversary celebration, giving the Beermen additional motivation to put on a show.
The Hotshots, for their part, began their run by overpowering Blackwater, 106-84, and grinding out a win against Converge, 83-71. Coach Chito Victolero credited the team’s laser-sharp focus and commitment to refining their system.
“Credit to the players, in-embrace nila yung gusto namin gawin. Yung system namin, ini-improve lang namin ng konti,” said Victolero.
Magnolia’s cohesiveness and discipline have been evident, stemming from their offseason preparation that even included a tune-up win over the Beermen.
Fajardo Honored, But Hungry for More
Adding to San Miguel’s motivation is the recent recognition of their cornerstone, June Mar Fajardo, who was named among the 10 latest additions to the PBA’s list of 50 greatest players. The seven-time MVP will make his first appearance since receiving the prestigious honor during the PBA Gala held at Solaire North in Quezon City.
Despite the accolades, Fajardo remains focused on the task at hand—leading the Beermen back to playoff prominence and contending for another championship.
A Battle for Early Supremacy
As both teams aim to extend their unbeaten runs to 3-0, the midweek clash is more than just a routine regular-season game. It’s a barometer for where these proud franchises stand after their respective off-season resets. San Miguel’s championship pedigree and Magnolia’s renewed intensity set the stage for a tightly contested battle.
With momentum on the line and the Holy Week break looming, fans can expect nothing less than a physical, high-quality showdown between two teams with their eyes firmly set on the Philippine Cup crown.