PBA: Magnolia, SMB renew 'sibling rivalry' in All-Filipino finals

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beer and Magnolia may be sister teams, but they fully intend to wage war when they face off in the Finals of the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup starting on Friday.

The Beermen are trying to annex an unprecedented fourth consecutive All-Filipino crown, while the Hotshots are hoping to win a title for the first time since completing a Grand Slam in the 2013-14 season – back when they were still known as the San Mig Coffee Mixers.

Executives of both squads on Wednesday guaranteed that San Miguel and Magnolia will pull out all stops in the best-of-seven series, and that neither team will give an inch to the other.

"This will be sports entertainment at its best," said Magnolia team governor Rene Pardo during a press conference at the Sambo Kojin restaurant in Libis. "I guarantee you – hindi namin ibibigay sa kanila on a silver platter ang championship."

"We're not just here for the experience," Pardo further stressed.

San Miguel team governor Robert Non, for his part, emphasized that though they are "sister teams," neither SMB nor Magnolia will hold back in the finals – especially with so much at stake.

"They all want to be part of the history," Non said of the Beermen, who have won five championships in the past nine PBA conferences – including a three-peat in the All-Filipino. "'Yun ang motivation sa kanila."

"Talagang pinaghahandaan namin itong All-Filipino. It is considered the most prestigious among the three conferences of the PBA," he added. "Ito, walang sister team-sister team."

Pardo also noted that the San Miguel and Magnolia franchises have rich traditions that they are hoping to sustain in this particular battle.

"No one will give an inch," he promised. "Pareho gustong manalo."

With this in mind, Pardo's only request is that both teams be allowed to play their brand of basketball, instead of being handcuffed by the officiating.

"Huwag nilang hadlangan with lousy calls," said Pardo. "Let the fans enjoy the game."

The series starts on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.