MAGNOLIA and the hulking Antonio Hester battle a rejuvenated Rain or Shine squad on Wednesday with the Hotshots eyeing a fourth straight victory in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Hester, formerly Terrafirma’s import who replaced Eric McCree, averaged 31 points, 15 rebounds and 6.6 assists in all of the Hotshots’ last three won games.
They intend to improve their 3-3 won-lost record when they face the Elasto Painters at 5:45 p.m.
“They have a very good import so we really have to prepare against them because both of us are chasing more wins,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said. “It’s going to be physical and we need to grind it out both ends.”
Greg Smith missed the Terrafirma game pending his clearance from basketball’s world governing body—he played professionally in the Dominican Republic—but the Elasto Painters still survived the Dyip, 120-118.
Rain or Shine, after a frustrating 0-4 start, has won back-to-back for a 2-4 record.
Winless NorthPort (0-6) battles Terrafirma (2-5) in the other game at 3 p.m.