IT’S hard to stay on top if you’re the target of all teams.
Magnolia learned this the hard way after the Hotshots fell to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 110-113 last Saturday in an out-of-town game in Cagayan de Oro City.
The loss somehow took the pressure off their shoulders and coach Chito Victolero’s charges redeemed themselves in a big way.
“I think we’re okay. Medyo nawala rin iyong kaunting pressure sa amin. because most people, hinihintay kaming matalo,” Victolero said. “Ang kanina lang na sinabi ko sa kanila was, I don’t want to happen iyong nangyari sa Cagayan na bad start. Nag-respond naman sila.
“Very happy, very proud of the players. I talked to Tyler Bey before the start of the game and I told him to start strong. Paul (Lee) was also looking for his shots, he’s very aggressive, so were Jio (Jalaon) and our big guys,” he added.
Magnolia dumped listless Terrafirma 104-91 two nights ago to rediscover its winning ways in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Victolero also acknowledged the big contributions of his bench players led by Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca.
“When the second group came in like Ian and Mark, they also contributed very well,” Victolero, who drew 25 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists from Bey, said. “Malaking bagay iyong naka-focus sila. Kapag gusto naman ng players namin na ganoon, mayroon kaming chance na manalo.”
Sangalang, who turned 32 last Wednesday, chipped in 18 markers and nine boards, while Lee and Jalalon combined for 29 as the Hotshots regained the lead with an 8-1 mark in the season-opening tourney.
The Dyip lost their fifth tiff in a row, including a 94-103 defeat to the Converge FiberXers last Dec. 13 and slipped to 2-6.
With a shot at a top-four finish that will be rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, fans can expect Magnolia to press its bid for that coveted goal.
“We respect our opponents. That’s the word: respect,” Victolero said. “Our target is the incentive in the quarterfinals. We have that goal.”
Juami Tiongson paced Terrafirma with 17 points, five caroms, and two dimes, while Gelo Alolino added 13 markers.
Stephen Holt also got 12 points for the Dyip, but reinforcement Thomas De Thaey could only score 11 although he had 13 rebounds.
Javi Gomez de Liaño contributed 11 markers for Terrafirma.
Now that the heartbreak in Cagayan de Oro is behind them, the Hotshots can now shift their sights on another first–a first title in five years.
“Alam naman namin na darating, hindi namin alam kung kailan (first loss). Good thing with this game, I thank the Lord for the positivity na ibinibigay Niya sa amin,” he said.
