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PBA: ROS guns for 2-0 lead

by Jonas Terrado

Game Sunday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

6:30 p.m. — Magnolia vs ROS

(Rain or Shine leads series 1-0)

Rain or Shine shoots for a 2-0 lead against Magnolia as the physicality is expected to intensity in Game 2 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters go for another win in the 6:30 p.m. but coach Caloy Garcia sees a strong fightback from the Hotshots, who vowed to be more prepared than in the series opener held two nights earlier.

Beau Belga of Rain or Shine flexes against Magnolia in their semis game Friday night. ROS won, 84-77. (MB photo | Rio Deluvio)

“We know that they are gonna make an adjustment,” Garcia said. “The way (Magnolia coach Chito Victolero) coaches, they gonna do good adjustments in the second game.”

Rookie forward Javee Mocon and sophomore guard Rey Nambatac sparked a third quarter comeback before veterans Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood knocked down key baskets to give Rain or Shine an 84-77 victory.

Surprise starter Kris Rosales also provided the intangibles on the defensive end that were also instrumental in the Elasto Painters.

Magnolia center Ian Sangalang admitted that they were surprised with the gambits Rain or Shine showed in Game 1 but was quick to promise to put up a much-better showing.

“Marami lang kaming lapses na dapat ayusin so alam ko naman coming into Game 2 ready kaming lahat,” Sangalang said.

(“We know that had plenty of lapses that we need to fix so I’m confident that we will more ready in Game 2.”)

Sangalang also dealt with the rugged nature of the contest that saw him engage in a heated verbal exchange with Belga late in the contest. He and the Hotshots are bracing for more.

“We expect a very physical game against Rain or Shine, even more physical than we faced against Ginebra,” said Victolero, whose wards were coming off a three-game quarterfinal series win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Pulse and defending champion San Miguel Beer began their own best-of-seven affair at presstime at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game 2 of their series is slated Monday at the Big Dome.

Tags: Beau Belga , Chito Victolero , Gabe Norwood , Javee Mocon , Kris Rosales , PBA , PBA Philippine Cup , Philippine Cup , Phoenix Pulse , Rain or Shine , Rey Nambatac , San Miguel Beer