PBL: Magnolia hoping to solve Harbour puzzle

MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia Purewater coach Koy Banal is hoping a different Wizards team would show up in Thursday’s Game Two of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. “It was just one of the days that we’re not on our usual self, maybe we woke up on the wrong side of the bed," said Banal, who’s Wizards suffered an 84-71 loss to Harbour Centre in Tuesday’s finals opener. Magnolia’s scoring trio of Neil Rañeses, Al Magpayo and JP Alcaraz combined for a paltry 19.3 percent shooting clip or going 6-of-31 from the field. Even the 6-foot-4 Rañeses, who averaged 18.4 points in Magnolia’s semis showdown with Bacchus, struggled in the game with Harbour forwards Edwin Asoro and Jerwin Gaco alternated in guarding the Wizards’ main gunner. Asoro and Gaco made things difficult for Rañeses, who was limited to two points behind a woeful 1-of-8 from the field and was pushed outside of his comfort zone. Banal, who is aiming for his third title in the league, said they should rely on Rañeses alone. “Everybody must step, we should not rely much on Rañeses. Everybody from Harbour can score, so we have to do something about it." Banal’s defensive strategy should not focus on one or two players only as anyone from starters Reed Juntilla, Rico Maierhoffer and rookie Mark Barroca, and off-the-bench players Asoro and JR Cawaling can wax hot and light up the scoreboard. Still, Banal remains optimistic with their chances. “I drew strength from my boys who kept telling me that we can still make it." For Magnolia to have a chance of foiling Harbour’s bid to win a record sixth title, Banal needs to get the usual numbers from his starters and limit the Batang Pier’s offensive onslaught. Even Harbour coach Jorge Gallent believes the series is far from over. “From the start, I’m confident of our chances but I can’t say if we can sweep Magnolia. Magnolia has talented players, so you can’t put them down easily." – GMANews.TV Game Thursday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City) 2:30 p.m. – Magnolia Purewater vs Harbour Centre Game 1 (best-of-five title series) Harbour 84, Magnolia 71 (Harbour leads series 1-0)