MAGNOLIA has proven it can thrive in do-or-die duels—at least in the eliminations.
Now the Hotshots face a similar situation against the top seed and twice-to-beat NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
For Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, his wards will not simply wave the white flag despite the odds stacked against them.
“We’re the underdog in this series. We’re down in this series 0-1,” Victolero said.
“So, it’s another do-or-die situation for us but I like our chances,” he added.
Whether Victolero and his team can stave off elimination will be known when they take on NorthPort at the start of their series tomorrow at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
A victory by Magnolia will forge a KO tiff on Saturday, while a defeat will send the Hotshots packing in the same conference they reached the Big Dance last year.
The Batang Pier nipped the Hotshots in their only elims clash 107-103 last Dec 4.
But that doesn’t faze Victolero.
“We’re playing well on both ends of the floor and pinaka-gusto ko lang is we’re all healthy,” he said. “I think this is the only second or third game (against NLEX) where we are fully healthy, lahat ng mga players.
“Hopefully we can battle with the No. 1 team and give them a good fight.”
