Magnolia will be figuring in another chapter of its famed Manila Clasico rivalry versus Ginebra on Sunday that’s a tad different from the past seven years.
Used to compete against Justin Brownee, the Hotshots will be taking on a Kings side reinforced by Tony Bishop this time as the crowd darlings continue to await the decision on the three-time Best Import’s status regarding his doping case.
“Maiiba lang ‘yung timpla because Justin is out,” said head coach Chito Victolero after their 112-74 rout of NorthPort in the Commissioner’s Cup, Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “We expect a very hard game on Sunday.”
The former Coach of the Year is intrigued by how the upcoming Clasico will turn out as both teams feature imports that will have their first taste of the long-standing rivalry between two of the league’s winningest ball clubs.
Magnolia has the 25-year-old Tyler Bey in tow and that somehow evens out things in that regard for the two San Miguel-owned teams.
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“It’s very interesting kasi both imports, hindi nila alam ‘yung Clasico eh. Bishop is new with Ginebra, amin si T-Bey bago rin,” said Victolero.
But Victolero is giving Bishop the edge, having played in the league back in the 2021 Governors’ Cup as Meralco’s replacement for Shabazz Muhammad.
“Both imports will try to adjust to the big crowd. But may advantage lang si Bishop, kasi nakapaglaro na siya rito. But let’s see,” he said.
Plus, Bishop is someone who’s familiar with Magnolia — and vice versa. They met one another in the 2021 Governors’ Cup semifinals, with the Bolts coming out on top of the best-of-5 series against a side led by Mike Harris.
Meralco settled for another runner-up finish to Ginebra but it was nonetheless an impressive campaign for the Panamanian forward. He finished with norms of 25.7 points on 45.1-percent shooting, 13.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals.
But even that kind of familiarity doesn’t make Magnolia all too confident when they face Bishop anew in the 6:15 p.m, duel at the Big Dome.
“Hindi namin alam lalaruin ni Bishop sa Ginebra kasi bago, and new system,” he said. “May idea lang kami sa laro niya with Meralco, but with Ginebra, wala.”
