Manila, Philippines – PBA Philippine Cup finals preview between the San Miguel Beer and Magnolia Hotshots that will open game 1 of their best-of-seven final series on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Photo by PBA images
Game |
Date |
Time |
Venue |
1 |
Friday, March 23 |
7:00pm |
Araneta Coliseum |
2 |
Sunday, March 25 |
6:30pm |
Mall of Asia Arena |
3 |
Sunday, April 01 |
6:30pm |
Araneta Coliseum |
4 |
Wednesday, April 04 |
7:00pm |
Araneta Coliseum |
5 |
Friday, April 06 |
7:00pm |
Mall of Asia Arena |
6 |
Sunday, April 08 |
6:30pm |
Araneta Coliseum |
7 |
Wednesday, April 11 |
7:00pm |
Mall of Asia Arena |
Full scheduled of the Finals between Magnolia and San Miguel Beer.
Below are the statistics of both teams:
History
Purefoods (Magnolia) already had 12 finals appearance since the PBA PHILIPPINE Cup assembled, they only had 5 titles and lost 7 finals while San Miguel appeared 11 times with 7 titles and 4 losses in the finals. Their last finals meeting in All Filipino Cup is in the year 1994 the time Purefoods still called “Coney Island” in which San Miguel got the title.
This is the first finals appearance for Magnolia since changing their name from San Mig Super Coffee Mixers. The last time they are crowned as Champion is when San Mig Super Coffee Mixers is handled by Tim Cone against Rain or Shine by Yeng Guiao (4-2). On the other hand San Miguel Beer reigns their title in 3 consecutive seasons from 2014-2017 seasons and coming to this finals is their 4th consecutive PBA Philippine Cup finals.
Head Coach Comparison
Chito Victolero the new comers in the PBA infact Victolero started as an assistant coach for Kia Sorento together with Manny Pacquiao as playing head coach in 2014-2015 season while Leo Austria started his coaching career in PBA in the late 90’s. Austria led San Miguel for their 3 consecutive title and never loss in the finals with 5-0 including Commissioner’s cup against Talk N text in 2016-2017 season and Governors Cup against Alaska in 2014-2015 season.
Big Comparison (semis)
Can they stop Fajardo’s in the paint, plus the absence of Marc Pingris due to injury will be one factor. Fajardo’s dominance on both ends will make Magnolia’s to doubled him and will lead an open shooter like Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter. Both Fajardo and Sangalang average a double-double figure in semifinals between their respective opponent.
|
Points average |
Rebound average |
June Mar Fajardo |
20.8 |
12.8 |
Ian Sangalang |
15.8 |
10 |
Three point Percentage (semis)
We all know that San Miguel had the best shot in three point line because of Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot but Magnolia’s average in the semis dominates against the Beermen.
Three Point Percentage |
San Miguel |
34.6% |
Magnolia |
39.5% |
Bench Comparison (semis)
Magnolia almost double their bench production average compared to the San Miguel Beermen in their semi-finals with 36.5points per game while San Miguel only had 18.4points per game it means San Miguel is relying heavily with their main starters and if they struggling or will have an off night, Magnolia could capitalize a win. Magnolia’s bench once scored 63points in their opening semis against NLEX eventually they lose the game.
Bench Production |
San Miguel |
18.4pts per game |
Magnolia |
36.5pts per game |
Source: pba.ph , wikipedia
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