Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia’s biggest weapon against San Miguel’s imposing cornerstone couldn’t help but admit that Friday night’s fracas got into the Hotshots’ heads.
“The game stopped. We were knocked out of focus,” Ian Sangalang said of the incident in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals that added to what was an already whirlwind contest featuring the Hotshots and the Beermen.
A man donning a “Spider-Man” costume holding a sign that read “Vote! Love!” stormed onto center court, hitting San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and stopping the game which Magnolia was in control of, 84-76.
The incident, which lasted for a few minutes, seemed to have afforded the Beermen a boost. The four-time champions rallied back and managed to knot the game at 86 on Terrence Romeo’s triple.
“Good thing we won,” said Sangalang, who had been a steady hand for Magnolia all through out the series.
“Maybe you could say we’re a bit lucky that (Mark Barroca) made the last shot, that we’re able to figure out what to do. If we went to over time, the odds for us would be slim,” he shared.
“We don’t have that much of players left. I had five fouls along with Rodney,” he explained. “We just remained positive.”
Sangalang finished with another double-double (18 points and 14 rebounds) in Game 5.
The Hotshots big man, who was then going home with a 3-2 lead, a psychological edge under his belt, and the idea of a sound sleep awaiting him, poked fun at the incident.
“I just hope the Avengers won’t be storming the court on Sunday,” he said.
“Maybe Thanos is already there.”