Following Game 6 outcome, SMB, Magnolia to hold practice on Election Day for rubber match

With the result of Game 6, both San Miguel and Magnolia will grind it out in practice right on Election Day. Dennis Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Coach Chito Victolero somehow rued that Magnolia failed to close out San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals after dropping the first of two chances to clinch the title in Game 6 on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Because of that, the Hotshots will now have to practice on Election Monday.

"Kailangan eh," Victolero said.

But interestingly enough, the Beermen, who now have the momentum with the Game 6 win, will also have training in the holiday.

"Papraktisin namin lahat," Coach Leo Austria said in jest.

Turning serious, however, Austria said that the Monday practice could be their toughest for the championship series.

"During the past few days in the series, there's no time to add practice. I mean we don't have any physical activities. We keep on studying the film and start shooting and that's it because we cannot make drastic adjustments because from Game 1 up to Game 6, it's a matter of who's wanting to win," he reasoned.

The Monday training sessions of both teams would mean the players who are registered voters outside Luzon will have to make the sacrifice of not voting for the sake of lifting their respective clubs to the championship.

"Yung iba, hindi na talaga makakauwi kasi yung iba, taga-Zamboanga, taga-Cagayan De Oro. Wala na masyadong time. Siguro dito, like ako, sa Bulacan [boboto], makakauwi pa--yung mga dito lang sa north, sa south [ng Metro Manila,]" Victolero added.

On how their day will look like, both coaches gave contrasting answers.

"We have practice tomorrow. After that, saka kami boboto," Victolero said, hinting that Magnolia will have an early practice session.

"Pagkaboto namin, derecho kami sa practice," answered Austria.

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