Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

Danny Ildefonso, Lordy Tugade to Lead Magnolia Veterans in Pivotal Game 5

It's back to square one for the Magnolia Beverage Masters - Air21 Express basketball series. Magnolia's veterans will be lead again by Danny Ildefonso and Lordy Tugade who contributed heavily in Game 4's victory as well as their import Amal McCaskill.

The winner of Game 5 will be determined by the team who has more desire to win and who can play more as a cohesive team both in defense and offense. As I see in this series, the Magnolia Beverage Masters were having a difficulty defending the Air21 Express as they are very unpredictable, meaning every player on their roster who played in the hardcourt has the capability to score at anytime both outside and inside. That makes them very difficult to stop.

Danny Seigle is still a non-factor though he scored a dunk on the first play of the ballgame. He is not as aggressive as he used to be, which very well shows he is not yet 100%.


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MAGNOLIA, AIR21 TAKE THE FLOOR IN PIVOTAL GAME 5
Coaches point to intensity and execution as key

Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Tuesday, 29 July 2008

Certainly, Jong Uichico didn't want to play killjoy. In fact, he gammely responded to every inquiry by sportswriters following the Kings' four-gamme basketball sweep of the Red Bull Barakos in their basketball semifinal series last Sunday.

The last question though reminded him of bad memories from a distant past, so the Barangay Ginebra basketball coach politely declined to answer it.

"The last time I was asked to pick which basketball team I preferred to play I got burned. The basketball team I picked eventually eliminated us. Sorry, but I won't make any picks this time. I'm not good at basketball match-ups," offered Uichico, who also refused to identify the basketball tournament and the year it took place.

But he was kind enough to provide a hint. "It happened in the semifinals," he said, flashing a mischievous grin.

At any rate though, guessing which basketball team gets a crack at challenging Barangay Ginebra for the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference basketball championship is as tough as predicting that the Kings – proud owner of a 12-gamme winning basketball streak – would finish the basketball playoffs unscathed.

And while the Ginebra – Red Bull basketball showdown was done in four basketball gammes – leaving many league followers in disbelief – the Magnolia Beverage Masters – Air21 semifinal basketball series is looming to be a potential suspense-thriller that might require an Act 7 for an ending.

The script required alterations after the Magnolia Beverage Masters – thanks to the clutch hits by Lordy Tugade and import Amal McCaskill down the stretch – turned back the Express in Gamme 4 for a 104-102 decision to even the best-of-seven basketball series at two gammes apiece.

"Dikit lagi ang laban naming since the elimination round and I don't see it getting easier the rest of the basketball series,” said Magnolia Beverage Masters coach Siot Tanquingcen moments after the crucial win.

Based on their previous battles, Tanquingcen believes the eventual challenger of the Kings for the basketball championship will be determined by passion and determination.

"The way I look at it, this basketball series now boils down to which team wants it more," said Tanquingcen, seeking a third basketball Finals appearance and second basketball championship in an import-laced basketball conference.

The intensity of the series nearly blew out of proportion in Game 4 when Air21 import Steven Thomas and Magnolia Beverage Masters center Dorian Pena traded taunts on their way to the dugout at halftime. Both were fined by PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and warned of severe penalty if they lost their heads in the succeeding basketball gammes.

As much as both basketball teams are anticipating a deciding Game 7, it also remains a possibility that the result of Wednesday's Game 5 could be the turning point of the basketball series so the scheduled 7 o'clock duel Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum promises to be a lot more physical.

"I'm expecting the same intensity from both basketball teams. We just have to keep our focus. Whoever dictates the tempo of the basketball gamme would win it. Which means we can't play their (Express’) style of basketball," Tanquingcen said.

Bo Perasol, the low-keyed basketball coach of Air21 who is aiming to land the basketball team to its first-ever trip to the basketball Finals since joining the basketball league in 2002, is a bit more specific.

Apparently learning his lessons from Sunday's unexpected downfall, Perasol said sound decision-making and accuracy in basketball play execution would be very crucial in Game 5.

"If our last few basketball gammes would be a reflection of how the basketball series would be won, then we have to be very precise in our execution – defensively and offensively," Perasol said.

"It's down to a best-of-three basketball series so we can't afford to make costly mistakes," he added. (DBC)