The San Miguel Beermen is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok at 7:30 P.M. on March 8, 2020 live from Smart Araneta Coliseum in the Cubao, Quezon City.
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After an action-packed 44th PBA season, the Philippine Basketball Association opens its new year and for sure it will be loaded once again with drama and Pinoy flavored basketball. The Beermen and the Hotshots are tasked to entertain the fans which are expected to flock the Big Dome.
The defending champion, San Miguel is currently facing manpower issues as Marcio Lassiter, Terrence Romeo and their main-man June Mar Fajardo suffered injuries during the off-season. The biggest blow is most probably the “Kraken’s” inability to join his team to play inside the court this conference and perhaps the entire season according to earlier reports.
That could be one of the prime reasons why San Miguel went win-less during their preseason game where it was joined by the other three PBA ball-clubs.
“We have two weeks to regroup after the tournament, and we saw naman how these teams were competitive,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria.
“The only good thing is it’s not counted (the losses) on the actual games,” he added. “We definitely learned a lot from this (tournament) and we know where we are right now going to the all-Filipino.”
With his stars on the sideline, it gave Austria an opportunity to make an experiment with his lineup so that they’ll be ready for their season-opener which is scheduled tonight.
“I had the chance to experiment and know those players who are new to the team,” he said.
For the Magnolia’s camp, on the other hand, it seems that this season their lineup is much deeper compared to their sister-team as most of them will be coming-in healthy and ready to play.
It will be also their chance to avenge their Game 7 defeat during the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals where they’re few points away to reclaim the All-Filipino crown.
“HIndi mabubura sa isip namin iyun, talagang masyadong natandaan namin – one possession, one stop, one offensive play (away from winning the 2019 crown), so ito yung isa sa motivation namin,” said Victolero.