The body language and pronouncements of the protagonists suggest one thing - the PBA Governors Cup Finals won't get easier.
Magnolia Pambansang Manok is leading the best-of-seven series at 2-0, but the Hotshots say it doesn't feel like it.
"Hindi mo maramdaman ang lamang dahil ang hirap ng laban. At alam mong mas mahirap pa ang susunod na laban," said Magnolia ace local Paul Lee on the eve of Game Three set at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
"Sa totoo lang, eto ang pinakamahirap na series na nilaro ko. Pareho kasing pume-press and so hindi ka pwedeng mag-relax, at talagang mahirap," added Lee, a champion player with his original team Rain or Shine.
No doubt, though, that the Hotshots defenders have been working a bit harder and more effective as evidenced by their 100-84 win in Game One and their 77-71 triumph in Game Two.
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The Hotshots were unforgiving at the finish as they held the Aces to only six points in the fourth quarter and shut Alaska out in the last four minutes and 45 seconds of the contest.
"It all started on our defense at the start of the fourth quarter. It's about mental toughness and the desire to win," said Jio Jalalon, the No. 1 catalyst in their endgame escape Friday over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska coach Alex Compton acknowledged the peskiness of the Magnolia guards but rued what he felt certain fouls not called by the referees.
"I've not yet once publicly complained about officiating, but those guys fouled a lot, and they didn't get a call for it," said Compton.
"I'm all for good defense, and I know those guys are great defenders. But a foul is a foul," Compton pointed out. "If you're karate-chopping, pushing somebody or you're leaving your foot so you'll trip a ball handler, it's a foul.
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And it's a big part of the game, and for whatever reason, they didn't want to call it."
Nonetheless, Compton said this won't stop them from trying to push harder and fight tougher in a bid to stop the Hotshots.
"We're gonna keep on going and keep on going. We're gonna battle," said Compton. "If this is a three-game series, it's over. But I don't think this is over yet."
Jalalon picked up from where he left off in Game One, striking hard at the finish to highlight another solid all-around game and to personally lift the Hotshots to within two games of the coveted crowd.
The peppery sophomore guard from Cagayan de Oro scored five of his seven points in the last three minutes and also came through with the same number of rebounds and the same number of assists plus three steals in 30 minutes of action.
The Hotshots beat out the Aces in a gung-ho battle in the fourth quarter.
"That was the kind of game I expected Game One to be like, and also the series. But we turned the ball over 26 times, and that's huge," said Compton.(SB)
