ONE would think facing an opponent without an import and a key player would be a walk in the park. Think again.
Magnolia nearly paid a dear price in its duel with an all-Filipino NorthPort side in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup on a rainy Wednesday night.
“When we knew that Jois and Navarro won’t be in the game, that’s the reminder. Sobrang hirap (playing against an all-Filipino team), the team will play hard because they have no import,” Hotshots coach Chito Victolero said after his wards subdued the Batang Pier 105-94 for their second straight win. “In the first half, we had a hard time executing. It was always one pass, one shot, we didn’t move the ball very well and we didn’t play.
“That’s our reminder at halftime. If we want to win this game, we have to play solid on both ends of the floor. Buti naman, kahit paano, nag-grind kami,” he added.
The triumph served as a fitting follow up to Magnolia’s 124-103 demolition of Terrafirma last Sunday and rose to 3-2.
Coming off a 99-109 defeat to Meralco five nights back, NorthPort showed up without reinforcement Venky Jois and William Navarro who are both nursing sprained ankles and absorbed its second setback in a row for a 2-3 slate.
Hotshots import Glenn Robinson III showed the way with a game-high 25 points, on top of 11 rebounds and three assists while Paul Lee chipped in 20 markers, five boards and 11 dimes.
Zavier Lucero, acquired by Magnolia from the Batang Pier for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter, also had 16 points, 12 caroms and three blocks. Jerrick Ahanmisi and Calvin Abueva also combined for 20 for the Hotshots.
“For me, I approach it the same no matter what game it is. But it was for sure fun to be on the other side, wearing different colors against guys that I saw every day,” Lucero said. “But yeah, no added extra motivation.”
Cade Flores paced the Batang Pier with 23 markers and 10 rebounds while Joshua Munzon got 13 and three.
Damie Cuntapay, Arvin Tolentino, and Fran Yu also contributed 12, 11, and 10 points, respectively for NorthPort.
Victolero was pleased with his squad’s first-round drive but insisted they can only get better.
“That’s the minimum goal that we set – to go above .500. We’re happy, but not content. We’ll try to improve in the second round,” he said.
