EXPECT even more tough battles when the quarterfinal round of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finally kicks off Wednesday with top seed Magnolia taking on No. 8 TNT and No. 4 Phoenix Super LPG battling No. 5 Meralco at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The Hotshots, who finished with a league-best 9-2 win-loss record, and the Fuel Masters, who wound up fourth with an 8-2 slate, carry twice-to-beat advantages over the Tropang Giga and the Bolts, respectively.

But both the Hotshots and the Fuel Masters admit the playoffs will be an entirely different ballgame.

“Alam naman natin, lalo na ng mga players, na every time you go to the playoffs, very different atmosphere, iba ‘yung approach, you go to the next level,” said Magnolia coach Victolero ahead of the all-important encounter.

Victolero is also hoping the. Hotshots can duplicate their 110-102 triumph over the Tropang Giga during the tournament kickoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Nov. 5.

He said the highly-dependable import in Tyler Bey and the return of the return of Calvin Abueva and Jerrick Ahanmisi should also help the Hotshots’ cause.

Bey averages 27.64 points, 14.09 rebounds and 2.18 assists for Magnolia, which also counts on solid support jobs from Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon and Ian Sangalang among others.

One major concern for Magnolia is the return of Jason Castro.

Castro is expected to boost the TNT offense anchored on Best Import frontrunner Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson. and veteran RR Pogoy.

Phoenix is also bracing for tough battle against Meralco in their 4 p.m. curtainraiser.

“We’re gonna work our butts off,” said Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin in an interviewposted at the official PBA websitre.

“We have to double our efforts. If they’re gonna come in at 100 percent, we should come in at 120 perent,” added Jarin, whose Phoenix side boasts of a huge 93-83 win over Meralco only last Jan. 10.

“Ang maganda lang dito, we just played them a week ago so fresh pa lessons from that game,” added Jarin.

Meralco coach Luigi Ttillo is also unfazed by Phoenix’s twice-to-beat advantage in their quarterfinals showdown.

“The key is for us to play playoff basketball,” said Trillo. “We have to throw everything at them, pati kitchen sink, kumbaga.”

The other half of the quarterfinal bracket will pit No. 2 San Miguel Beer against No. No. 7 Rain or Shine and No.3 Barangay Ginebra against No. 6 NorthPort on Friday.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya