WHO CAN STOP MAGNOLIA?

Games today: (Ynares Center-Montalban)

5 p.m. — San Miguel Beer vs Terrafirma

7:30 p.m. — Magnolia vs Rain or Shine

From one physical team to another, Magnolia’s quest to extend its unbeaten run to seven will again be a bruising affair.

Spotless in six outings, the Hotshots are in for a grind-it-out battle against resurgent Rain or Shine as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup returns today at the Ynares Center-Montalban in Rizal.

“We’re facing another tough team, which is Rain or Shine. It’s going to be a test for us, character-wise, individually and as a team. I think it will also test our conditioning as well as our mindset,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said of the exciting mainer erupting at 7:30 p.m.

The Hotshots are fresh from a scuffle-marred 117-92 victory over Meralco last Wednesday that left assistant coach Mon Jose slapped with a one-game ban and a P20,000 fine.

Leading Magnolia are veteran guard Paul Lee, who rained down four four-pointers, Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca and young winger Zav Lucero, who received a dangerous neck tackle from Bolts forward Cliff Hodge which spilled into a bench-clearing incident with 2:16 left in an already-decided game.

Jose, who headbutted Hodge during the commotion, will be serving his suspension. On the other hand, Hodge was given a one-game suspension and a hefty P100,000 fine.

Victolero reminds his wards to brace for a strong opposition from the Elasto Painters, whose long layoff gave their ailing players time to recover.

“I’m always telling my players, right now, everybody wants to beat us. First of all, they want to boost their confidence by beating us,” the mentor said.

“But on our part, our mindset is that there’s still a long way to go. We’ve experienced this before. So, we have to bring what we’ve learned from those experiences,” he added.

“Last conference we went down 2-5, then last season we’re 7-0 (in the Commissioner’s Cup). We’ll just bring that experience and start from that. Work on the mental aspect of the whole team.”

Rain or Shine parades a 3-2 win-loss record at six spot and is coming off a 120-106 dismantling of Blackwater last 7 May.

The 11-day break favored the Elasto Painters, allowing big men Beau Belga, Caelan Tiongson and Keith Datu more time to recuperate and rebuild chemistry after missing some games early in their campaign.

“We’re facing Magnolia, which is the leading team. We had an 11-day rest and it’s a good thing we’re coming off a win, that gave us time to recover and more time to prepare,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said.

The Elasto Painters’ vaunted running game anchored by speedsters Adrian Nocum, Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut will be tested against the Hotshots solid defensive game.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer looks to solidify its spot in the top four in a showdown against freefalling Terrafirma at 5 p.m.

The Beermen are in third spot with a 4-2 slate tied with Barangay Ginebra. San Miguel beat Phoenix, 111-92, in a rebound win last week.

Languishing down the cellar are the Dyip after dropping six straight matches following a debut win.

Terrafirma has lost by an average of 30 points in its prolonged slump.