ASSISTANT coach Jason Webb said the Hotshots’ determination to start fast is spelling the big difference in their campaign in the mid-season tourney, where they are unscathed in five games.
“With regards to having good starts, actually we only had two good starts so far this conference against NLEX and tonight’s game. We were (down) 0-5 (in the first quarter) and then nakabawi,” Webb, who spoke in lieu of coach Chito Victolero, said after Magnolia clobbered NorthPort 109-91 last Sunday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“Then like iyong sinasabi ni Mark (Barroca) that is something that coach Chito (Victolero) has been talking about to the players, that we have to start out strong in the games,” he added.
Import Nick Rakocevic showed the way for the Hotshots with game-bests of 26 points and 14 rebounds, to go with four assists, while Barroca backed him up with 13 markers, two boards, and eight dimes.
The trio of Jerrick Ahanmisi, Jio Jalalon, and Ian Sangalang also had 10 points each for Magnolia, which came off a 111-97 triumph over NLEX six days ago and remained on top with a 5-0 mark.
The Batang Pier failed to score a fitting follow-up to an 87-83 decision over Blackwater last Wednesday and fell to 3-3 in a tie with the Bossing for fourth.
Webb said the Hotshots know the importance of getting the headstart in their games.
“Luckily naman the last two games we started out strong, got the lead,” Webb said. “Once we get the lead, the players that we have knew how to handle it already so it’s a recipe for success. You’d rather be leading than trailing.”
The runway win also served as a big boost to Magnolia’s “Manila Clasico” duel with Ginebra this Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, according to Barroca.
“Sabi nga namin, dati pa naman dito, kapag Ginebra ang kalaban, hindi na kailangan i-motivate iyong bawat isa,” he said.
Kevin Ferrer paced NorthPort with 19 points, a rebound, and two feeds, while Robert Bolick added 15 and three.
Reinforcement Prince Ibeh, Arvin Tolentino, and MJ Ayaay also had 11, 11, and 10 markers, respectively, for the Batang Pier.
