Magnolia is taking so much pride in its defense and it is set to be put on a litmus test against the fiery offense of Phoenix when they figure in a battle of the two of the best teams so far in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday, Nov. 12.
The Hotshots – known for their defense anchored on the principles of head coach Chito Victolero — get the tough task of putting the clamps on the Fuel Masters' high-octane offense in the main event of the twin bill at 6:45 p.m.
A fitting appetizer between the playoff-seeking NorthPort and slumping Terrafirma will also be served in the first offering at 4:30 p.m.
Magnolia, currently clinging to the top of the leaderboard with a 6-1 record, aims to continue its stride following a masterful defensive performance in its last game when it limited Blackwater to a measly 69 points – the lowest the Hotshots had allowed this conference.
“Key thing here is we played probably our best defensive game of the season. We limited them to the 60s. We got back to our identity as a very good defensive team, which was exactly what we've been preaching for the last two weeks,” said assistant coach Jason Webb following the win.
The Hotshots though are not taking the Fuel Masters lightly as they are determined to pull all the stops needed to contain the red-hot scoring from Phoenix, especially with its guns still smoking after engaging Converge in a huge shootout in their 133-127 loss that snapped its five-game winning streak
Expected to still spearhead the Fuel Masters are the rookie duo in Tyler Tio and Encho Serrano although their mettle are also poised to be tested against the veteran and defense-minded backcourt trio of Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon.
Another interesting matchup is also between their imports in the Hotshots’ Nick Rakocevic and the Fuel Master’s Kaleb Wesson who both bring in a somewhat similar game and value to their respective teams on both ends of the floor.