IT'S MANILA CLASICO

It's a marquee "Manila Clasico" clash that both Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra are raring to bag with the positioning for the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs at fever pitch.

- By OLMIN LEYBA

The pacesetting Hotshots may be safely in with their 7-1 card but they would still have to pick up Ws to get their hands on the Top 4 and coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

And getting one versus the Gin Kings in the 7:30 p.m. duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum should be good for the Hotshots, considering their last faceoff ended embarrassingly for them.

On Christmas Day last year, Magnolia blew a 22-point lead and lost a 95-92 thriller on a Scottie Thompson buzzer-beating triple.