Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

Magnolia Beverage Masters Test Sta. Lucia's Mettle

It's Magnolia Beverage Masters vs. All-Filipino Cup champions Sta. Lucia Realty.

The team will have its hands full as the realtors are backed by big and reliable import in Wesley Wilson. It will be an interesting matchup between Jameel Watkins and Wesley Wilson who will both man the post.

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Magnolia Beverage Masters Test Sta. Lucia's Mettle

Source: Manila Bulletin Online
By WAYLON GALVEZ
04/06/2008

Realtors Eye Second Win

Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty guns for its second straight win today when it battles Magnolia Beverage Masters in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Realtors collide with the Magnolia Beverage Masters at 6:50 p.m., after the defending champion Alaska Aces and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings clash at 4:30 p.m.

Sta. Lucia, which captured the all-Filipino title last month, is fresh from a 93-86 win over Alaska which saw 6-foot-11 import Wesley Wilson collect 24 points, grab 13 rebounds aand swat six shots before finishing with 10 turnovers.

The Realtors will face a team eager to bounce back from a heartbreaking 126-127 double overtime loss to sister team Purefoods TJ Hotdogs.

Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez considers Magnolia Beverage Masters as one of the strong contenders this conference — with its deep roster and talented import in 6-foot-11 Jameel Watkins.

"Magnolia Beverage Masters is one of the teams to beat in this conference. They have a strong line-up and with Mike Cortez around, their point guard rotation is more stable in terms of experience," Fernandez, referring to Magnolia Beverage Masters midseason acquisition of Mike Cortez and Ken Bono from Alaska for LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier, said.

"The last time we had a tune-up gamme versus Magnolia Beverage Masters we were blown out. So now we know what are our mistakes," he added.

However, as far as Magnolia Beverage Masters mentor Siot Tanquingcen is concerned, there’s no question that the Realtors are the tournament favorites.

"They (Realtor) are the all-Filipino champion and now they added another inside threat in Wilson. They are really tough and to beat them, we need to play tough as well and smart basketball in executing our gamme plan."

Except for the 10 turnovers, Wilson, who played for Shell in this same conference four years ago, did well in leading the Realtors together with Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference winner Kelly Williams and Joseph Yeo.

Fernandez said that the former Georgetown University stalwart is adjusting to the system. Together with his mainstays, his team is getting into "gamme shape".

"Wesley and the local crew is slowly but surely getting in shape," the 36year-old Fernandez said.

The onetime PBA playmaker Fernandez is also excited to see the battle between Wilson and Watkins, who are former Hoyas teammates under revered coach John Thompson, saying: "It’s going to be an interesting match between ex-teammates."