by Jonas Terrado
Game Sunday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
6:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs Magnolia
(Magnolia leads series 3-2)
Mark Barroca of Magnolia is down on the floor celebrating after hitting the winning basket against San Miguel Beer during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. At right is Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser. The Hotshots won, 88-86. (MB photo | Rio Leonelle Deluvio)Magnolia seeks to end the four-year reign of San Miguel Beer and capture the PBA Philippine Cup crown in Game 6 of their Finals showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots, who won a strange fifth game on Friday, look to claim their first All-Filipino title since 2014 and hoist the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy in the match set at 6:30 p.m.
League officials can only hope for smoother things to occur in the potential title clincher after a man dressed in a Spiderman costume caused a disruption to Game 5 by entering the court.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said security measures will be heightened to ensure that the incident caused by a man later identified as a certain Paolo Majical Felizarta will be avoided.
Another person, initially thought to be an accomplice, and a fan who allegedly punched the latter while being escorted out of the playing venue were also released by Quezon City policemen after they were brought to Station 7 for questioning.
Felizarta is facing charges of alarm and scandal and unjust vexation and Marcial insisted on pursuing the case.
“Sana sa Linggo, wag na yung Avengers yung pumasok. Baka si Thanos nandyan na sa loob,” joked Magnolia center Ian Sangalang.
Spotlight could shine on Magnolia’s Mark Barroca, who after all the brouhaha caused by the incident came through with a buzzer-beating jumper that gave his team the pivotal 3-2 lead.
Barroca continues to be the most consistent player for the Hotshots which could lead to a third career Finals Most Valuable Player award if they end up as series winners.
But looking to spoil the party are the Beermen, who will be put to the test as they aim to extend the series to a deciding seventh game on Wednesday at the Big Dome.
San Miguel will need to get more from its offense in order to control the game and prevent Magnolia from dictating a defensive-oriented affair.
June Mar Fajardo, who collided with the suspect during the incident, will try to bounce back from a sluggish start despite finishing with 21 points and 22 rebounds.