It’s been quite tight, unpredictable even, in the early goings of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup that no team has scored back-to-back victories so far.
But three squads are in position to break this trend today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, all intent on starting the first streaks in the young season.
Twelve days after hurdling Manila Clasico rival Barangay Ginebra in the league’s opening salvo, 80-73, Magnolia returns for only its second assignment against Titan Ultra (1-1) at 5:15 p.m. with eyes set on a follow-up W and solo leadership.
The Gin Kings (1-1) and the Meralco Bolts (1-2), two heavyweights that got on the board Wednesday after listless starts, seek to make it two in a row as they clash at 7:30 p.m.
Their previous victory over his old master Tim Cone and old pals at Ginebra was really a great fire-starter but Magnolia’s first-year coach LA Tenorio was quick to keep his charges on an even keel.
‘It feels great but we did not achieve anything. Katulad nga rin ng sinabi ko sa mga players, we win this game, it’s just one win in the standings,’ said Tenorio.
‘We cannot be complacent just because we got this game because this is just the start of our journey,’ added Tenorio, whose sights are firmly set on ‘the bigger picture’ for Magnolia.
Meanwhile, the Bolts look to reach .500 for the first time after a horror 0-2 opening that saw them fall to the Giant Risers and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
‘Two losses (to start the campaign), it’s tough. But I think it’s more about keeping everybody in the right mind frame so that way we can continue to take those losses, learn from it, and move forward,’ guard Chris Newsome said after Meralco got over the hump at the expense of Blackwater, 105-96.
The Gin Kings are back in business following their 92-77 drubbing of TNT (1-1).
‘Well, the only good news is they only have one day (turnaround, too). We both played Wednesday, they played a tough game, we played a tough game,’ said Cone.
‘We know each other pretty well. We played against each other a lot. So the preparation I think in terms of game planning is not going to be that difficult for either team. It’s just getting the rest and getting the guys back locked into the game.’