MAGNOLIA coach Chito Victolero is convinced he’s got a gem of an import in Serbian-American Nikola Rakocevic who could play beautiful music with his teammates.
“I think we’re ready. Iyong import nakasama na namin for the last three weeks so chemistry with him ay okay naman,” Victolero said. “Iyong mga players naging maganda rin ang pahinga kasi medyo talagang bugbog noong playoffs.
“Iyon lang kasi ang inaalalayan ko, timing at chemistry with the import,” he added.
Whether Victolero’s beliefs are well-founded will be known when the Hotshots launch their bid against Terrafirma today as the PBA Commissioner’s Cup resumes at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The match restarting the mid-season tourney after games were called off last Sunday due to super typhoon “Karding” is set at 3 p.m. Ginebra clashes with Rain or Shine in the other duel at 5:45.
Victolero warned his charges they could not look past the Dyip, who are coming off a 110-124 drubbing at the hands of Converge five days ago.
“I told my players that this is a dangerous game, that it will be rough for us. Kung pagbabasehan iyong Converge game nila, baka mag-kompiyansa kami. But it’s a different game, a different day,” Victolero said.
“Basta kung ano Magnolia Hotshots basketball, iyon ang dapat laruin namin. Kasi kung mag-o-overconfident kami makakasama sa amin.”
Magnolia wound up with an 8-3 mark for third after the eliminations in the last Philippine Cup and reached the semifinals but fell to TNT.
With Calvin Abueva doubtful to suit up due to an undisclosed injury, the likes of Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca, and Jio Jalalon will be counted upon by the Hotshots to provide support to Rakocevic.
“He’s not the best scoring import, but he’s a hard worker, more defense oriented. Decent siya sa lahat ng aspects ng game,” Victolero said.
“Hopefully, itong import bumagay. Kasi iyon ang kulang sa amin, iyong defensive big man na puwede naming asahan sa dulo at makakatulong sila Ian (Sangalang) at Rafi (Reavis) o kaya ni James (Laput).”
Terrafirma will pin its hopes on reinforcement Lester Prosper, who banged in 43 points and pulled down 25 rebounds against the FiberXers, along with Alex Cabagnot, Joshua Munzon, and Juami Tiongson.
The Kings were supposed to make their debut in the import-spiced tilt against Converge three days ago but the match was postponed due to “Karding.”
Ginebra will bank on import Justin Brownlee, reigning MVP Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Stanley Pringle, and new acquisitions Jamie Malonzo and Von Pessumal.
The Elasto Painters dropped a 90-96 decision to NLEX in tactician Yeng Guiao’s return at the helm of Rain or Shine last Friday.
Reinforcement Steve Taylor, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, and young guns Rey Nambatac, Leonard Santillan, and Mike Nieto will be counted upon by the Painters to deliver.
