MAGNOLIA Pambansang Manok tries to make it three wins in a row against Meralco and move even closer to the finals in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The Hotshots swept the first two games of the scheduled best-of-seven semifinal series by beating the Bolts, 88-79, last Sunday and 92-78 last Wednesday.

Another win in their 3 p.m. encounter will give the Hotshots and coach Chito Victolero a commanding 3-0 advantage over the Bolts.

But Paul Lee, the hero in Magnolia’s victory over Meralco last Wednesday, and Victolero know beating the Bolts for the third straight time is easier said than done.

“For me, focus muna kami sa tomorrow’s practice,” said Lee, who scattered a game-high 28 points in the Game 2 win.

“Kasi iyung mag-eensayo kami, ‘yung preparation namin sobrang vital going to the game. So siguro one step at a time muna.”

Said Victolero: “We’ll just try to rest muna tonight, study the tape tomorrow morning and then prepare kung anuman magiging game plan namin on Friday.”

“Sabi nga ni Paul, very vital ‘yung preparations namin and we treat every game as a very important game. So, we’ll treat the (Friday) game as possession-by-possession. We live on that. Kailangan muna naming magpahinga, makakuha ng energy again in preparation for tomorrow’s practice and game namin sa Friday.”

Victolero is expected to rely on anew on Ian Sangalang, who finished with a double double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Calvin Abueva, who added 11 points and 11 rebounds in Magnolia’s victory over Meralco.

Chris Newsome (18 points), Reynel Hugnatan (12 points) and Nard Pinto (12 points) were the top scorers of Meralco last time.

In the 6 p.m. main event, Talk N Text and San Miguel Beer go for a 2-1 lead in their own semifinal series.

Talk N Text and San Miguel split their first two games, with the Tropang Giga drawing first blood with 89-88 victory in the series opener and the Beermen fighting backwith 98-96 triumph two days later.

“We need to find ways to compete against the most talented, deepest team in the league,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

“But we’re happy to be tied 1-1 with San Miguel without Kelly (Wiliams),” added Reyes, whose team blew a 20-point lead in the third quarter and watched Marcio Lassiter come away with the game-winner as time expired.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria hopes the momentum of their come-from-behind victory will carry over in the next game.

“We have to control the tempo because we’re facing a very talented and energetic team. Most of them have fresh legs so we need to be able to handle their pressure better and also limit our turnovers,” said Austria.

“It’s pure heart and determination,” explained Austria in San Miguel’s determined fight back aganst Talk N Text last time.

TNT is expected to lean on Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, JP Erram, Dave Marcelo and rookie Mikey Williams.

San Miguel, on the other hand, will pin its hopes on June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Terrrnce Romeo , Mo Tautuaa,, Alex Cabanot and Lassiter.