SPRINGING back to life after back-to-back wins, Magnolia guns for the series lead against San Miguel Beer (SMB) in Game 5 of their PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup Finals on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots will be shooting for the 3-2 series lead in their 6:15 p.m. clash.

Magnolia reduced the championship series to a best-of-three affair after another strong defensive job en route to a 96-85 win against the talent-laden San Miguel side.

Despite bouncing back from a 0-2 deficit, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero remains low-key.

"There's no advantage right now," said Victolero. "We just tied the series. There's nothing to celebrate. I know they (Beermen) are adjusting to what we do."

Magnolia import Tyler Bey has been key to the team's defensive effort after putting on the clamps on SMB counterpart Bennie Boatwright.

The former Colorado standout held Boatwright to a conference-low 16 points in Game 4, including 1-of-9 shooting from three-point zone.

Bey also exploded for 26 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks in a solid defensive effort.

But knowing the Beermen, they are expected to bounce back strongly in an effort to recover lost ground, with Boatwright and June Mar Fajardo leading the way.

Boatwright, who averaged over 29 points per contest in the first three games of the series, will be looking to rediscover his shooting touch.

But the former USC Trojan won't be alone as the Beermen have a slew of gunners, who are capable of exploding like Marcio Lassiter, Chris Rosa, Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano and newly minted Best Player of the conference awardee CJ Perez.

Read The Rest at :