Ian Sangalang undoubtedly shone late for the Magnolia Hotshots as they took Game One of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals versus the San Miguel Beermen, Wednesday night.
But their guard play made the upset possible.
Four of the six players who finished in double figures were guards, with Paul Lee leading the pack with 18 points. Mark Barroca produced 17 points, while Jio Jalalon scored 16. Justin Melton chimed in 11 markers.
The Hotshots guards have stolen the show from the Beermen. Except for Alex Cabagnot, the trio of Terrence Romeo, Chris Ross, and Marcio Lassiter were silenced, as they only shot a combined 4-of-29 from the field.
“Kapag maganda nilalaro ng mga guards namin, madali yung basketball para sa’min,” said Lee after their 99-94 win.
All in all, the 30-year-old is happy that his Magnolia have the headstart in the best-of-seven series. But Lee was quick to warn that they can’t be too confident else history might repeat itself.
The Hotshots also took the series opener of last year’s All-Filipino Finals. They then went on to lose that advantage and allow the Beermen to win the next four games on their way to their fourth straight Philippine Cup championship.
“Of course, happy. Nasunod lahat ng game plan. Pero ‘di pa tapos. Like last year, nakauna kami pero na-straight kami ng apat,” Lee recalled. “We need to be ready every game. Bigay lang namin yung one-hundred-percent namin.
“Kailangan maging ready lang kami.”
