Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs Magnolia Hotshots Prediction, Tips & Odds – Dec 14, 2022 10:45 CET
The first semifinal will serve as a perfect warm-up for the PBA Commissioner´s Cup match of the day between the Ginebra Kings and the Magnolia Hotshots.
Second Manila Clasico of the midseason tournament takes place at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday night and will certainly live up to its billing as two fierce rivals brace for an all-out war in their epic semifinal clash.
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Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Team News
For the first time since the 2018 Governors´ Cup playoffs, we will have a Manila Clasico semifinal. The Ginebra Kings got the better of their rivals in the regular stage with a sensational fourth quarter comeback in their 103:97 victory, so the Hotshots will be desperate to obtain the bragging rights this Wednesday.
After sweeping NorthPort in the quarter-final, Ginebra will enter the series with high hopes and will want to establish themselves as the team to beat in this game 1. Despite progressing from the quarters unscathed, head coach Tim Cone is aware the lack of stability his team has been dealing with this season could be costly.
Magnolia Hotshots Team News
Ginebra´s quarter-final matchup was actually a reflection of their entire season so far. During the regular stage the Kings were mostly clobbering their opponents, but every now and then they would falter unexpectedly against a team way below them.The Hotshots are defensively probably the best team in the conference and will not show mercy if they notice a chink in Ginebra´s armour.
Led by their usual suspects Nick Rakocevic and Calvin Abueva, Magnolia controlled their quarters clash against the Fuelmasters from the start. The lead slipped away from them in the final frame, but only for a brief moment as their stars made some key shots when it mattered the most.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs Magnolia Hotshots Prediction
The Hotshots failed to take advantage of a 15-point lead in the first Clasico of the season around a month and a half ago, but now they at least know they have what it takes to eliminate their biggest rivals.
The bookmakers see them as slight favourites ahead of this game 1, but we disagree. We would actually give a slight advantage to Ginebra, whose players needed time to gel with each other. Also, Ginebra have entered the playoffs with their scorers Stanley Pringle and Jeremiah Gray finallyin full form, which provides even more options to their dangerous high-octane offense.
Kick-off time: Wednesday, 14.12.2022 10:45 CET
Prediction: Handicap Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (+1.5)
Odds: 1.87
Sportsbook: 22Bet
