The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Terrafirma Dyip at 6:45 PM on March 4, 2023 live from the PhilSports Arena at Pasig City, Metro Manila.
The Hotshots wanted to live on its monicker and will try to spark another hot streak and improve their chances to carry a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals round while the Dyip will try the knock the doors of the playoffs and fight for its last and eighth-seeded spot
The Magnolia Hotshots are seeking to continue their impressive form as they take on the Terrafirma Dyip in their penultimate game of the PBA Governors Cup elims at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Despite having secured a spot in the quarterfinals, coach Chito Victolero and his team are determined to finish the elims in the strongest way possible. A Top 4 finish remains a possibility, and the Hotshots want to carry their momentum into the playoffs.
Coach Victolero said, “We played good basketball [in the last game], but we are not complacent. We want to finish strong and keep our momentum going to the playoffs. We need to win our last two assignments to give us a chance at a Top 4 spot.”
With a 5-4 record and having won five of their last six games, the Hotshots are eager to maintain their winning run. The team booked an outright quarters entry after routing the NorthPort Batang Pier, 129-109, on Thursday.
Antonio Hester, Mark Barroca, Rome dela Rosa, Calvin Abueva, Paul Lee, and Aris Dionisio all scored at least 15 points each as the Hotshots made a giant 40-point turnaround, bouncing back from a loss to the Meralco Bolts the previous time out.
Hester, who collected 28 points and 14 rebounds, said, “We’re confident in our game and believe we can achieve something great this conference. We want to keep our momentum going, win our remaining games, and get that Top 4 spot.”
Terrafirma, at 2-7, is already on the brink of elimination, and a win over Magnolia would be a significant boost to their playoff chances. Jordan Williams and Juami Tiongson have been their key players this conference, and the Dyip will be looking to these two to lead them to victory.
Coach Victolero knows his team is up for a tough challenge against Terrafirma, saying, “We cannot take them for granted. They are a dangerous team and will give their best to win. We need to play hard and smart and stick to our game plan.”
The Hotshots and Dyip played on opposite ends in a night of routs on Thursday, with Magnolia crushing NorthPort and Terrafirma losing to NLEX. The results practically determined the eight teams making the playoff picture, with the Hotshots joining TNT Tropang Giga, San Miguel Beermen, NLEX Road Warriors, Barangay Ginebra Kings, Converge FiberXers, and Meralco Bolts to the early quarters passage.
It’s going to be a wild dash home with the Top 4 gaining a twice-to-beat advantage versus the next four in the quarterfinals. Phoenix, at 4-5, is a win away from the post-elims play, while Blackwater has bombed out of the race at 1-9 while NorthPort joined Rain or Shine and Terrafirma on the brink all at 2-7.