June Mar Fajardo (with ball) and the Beermen tackle the Hotshots. —PBA IMAGES

Coach Chito Victolero agrees that Magnolia’s 2-0 begin within the PBA Philippine Cup ought to function a superb signal following a string of disappointments in earlier conferences.

On the identical time, he doesn’t wish to be carried away an excessive amount of by the Hotshots’ early success.

“It’s nonetheless too early and we’ve got to take it one recreation at a time,” Victolero mentioned.

His San Miguel Beer counterpart Leo Austria can also be having fun with an identical document that would bode nicely within the redemption tour the fabled ballclub is set to finish.

However with Magnolia due on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Good Araneta Coliseum, the ultimate playdate earlier than the league takes a weeklong break as a result of Lenten season, the Beermen are desirous to ship one other assertion recreation to buoy their probabilities.

“For us to win, we’ve got to work tougher as a result of quite a lot of groups are actually enjoying nicely,” Austria mentioned.

The winner will safe the solo lead after seven playdates within the PBA’s most prestigious event earlier than the opposite contenders lastly get to see motion.

Following the Holy Wednesday twinbill, which opens with NorthPort and Rain or Shine at 5 p.m., the subsequent video games will probably be on April 23 on the identical venue, because the league opted to not maintain a doubleheader on Easter Sunday.

The mentioned playdate pits the debut of TNT, in search of a historic Grand Slam, in opposition to NLEX and Barangay Ginebra, shedding finalist within the earlier two conferences, taking up Terrafirma.

The Hotshots racked up victories over the Blackwater Bossing and Converge FiberXers led primarily by sophomore Zavier Lucero, who has been exhibiting indicators of being a significant determine on the rotation.

Close to triple-double

On the other finish sees June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez as main weapons for the Beermen as they defeated the NLEX Street Warriors and Meralco Bolts through contrasting outcomes.

Each video games, nonetheless, noticed San Miguel practically squander massive leads, which it hopes to stop shifting ahead.

Within the opener, NorthPort seeks to go 2-0 and put itself ready to show that the dream semifinal run within the Commissioner’s Cup was no fluke.

It is going to journey as soon as extra on the shoulders of prime Batang Pier man Arvin Tolentino, who practically had a triple-double within the rout of Terrafirma final Saturday.

Rain or Shine needs to bounce again from its loss to NLEX however should do it minus veteran Beau Belga, who’s out for a month on account of vertigo.

Caelan Tiongson scored 24 factors in that recreation, although coach Yeng Guiao mentioned it was performed extra out of necessity. Having the identical output might nonetheless be helpful for Rain or Shine. INQ