Magnolia opens PH Cup campaign against winless Converge

The Philippine Basketball Association will make a nostalgic return to the iconic Rizal Memorial Coliseum after decades, bringing with it a Saturday double-header featuring a high-stakes face-off between Magnolia and Converge.

The Rizal Memorial Coliseum holds a treasure trove of memories, having been the venue for numerous historic sporting events such as the 1973 ABC Championship, the 1978 World Championship, world boxing title fights, and several Southeast Asian Games competitions. It also served as the home of the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA), the precursor to the PBA that was established in 1975.

Many legendary teams, including San Miguel and Meralco, once graced the courts of RMC during the MICAA era. It’s a stark reminder that not a single current PBA player was even born when the last game was played at this historic coliseum.

For Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, stepping foot in Rizal Memorial Coliseum brings back a flood of memories from his playing days as an amateur and training with the national team in 2001.

As Magnolia and Converge gear up for their 6:15 p.m. showdown, both teams are hungry for a victory – with the Hotshots aiming for a strong conference start and the FiberXers looking to break their losing streak.

Victolero and his team are determined to bounce back from falling short in the previous conference title race. Despite a strong preseason performance and dominant showing in the Commissioner’s Cup, they were ultimately outmatched by San Miguel in the finals. The Hotshots fought valiantly but had to settle for second place after a hard-fought series.

On the other hand, Converge has struggled this season, holding a winless record after 4 outings going into their match against Magnolia.