MAGNOLIA coach Chito Victolero feels a big Phoenix win is just around the corner. He just hopes it won’t come in Game 2 or in the third game so the Hotshots can finish off the Fuel Masters, which is something easier said than done.
“Alam namin na walang magiging madali sa series na ito at lalong magiging mahirap sa mga susunod na games,” Victolero said after Magnolia eked out a nail-biting 82-79 decision over Phoenix in the opening game last Wednesday of their best-of-5 semifinals showdown in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. “We need to have that proper mindset.
“Kailangan namin talagang maintindihan na it’s not going to be an easy (series) for us. We need to grind every single possession,” he added.
Whether the Hotshots can rise to the occasion anew will be known when they tangle with the Fuel Masters in Game 2 today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The duel is set for 8 p.m., with Magnolia aiming to push Phoenix on the brink.
Ditto with San Miguel Beer, which battles defending champion Ginebra in the curtain-raiser at 4 o’clock.
What holds the key for the Hotshots is continuing to put the clamps on Fuel Masters import Johnathan Williams, who could only muster 11 points in Game 1 but they also need to keep an eye on the likes of locals Jason Perkins and RJ Jazul.
“We just need to limit his activity on the floor, limit his offensive rebounding and contribution on the offensive end,” Victolero said of Williams.
“But we also need to have a defensive gameplan on Perkins. Perkins did a good job of helping their import. We need to watch the film on how we can contain Perkins and Jazul also. Let’s see the adjustments.”
Magnolia reinforcement Tyler Bey is likewise convinced the job is far from done.
“We just won a game so obviously they’re gonna do all they can to win the next one,” Bey said.
“It’s a big game, the second game, so first we’ve gotta go with the drawing board, do better, learn from today, you know, just learn from our mistakes.”
Aside from Bey, the likes of Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, and Calvin Abueva will be counted upon by the Hotshots to deliver.
Williams is expected to team up with Perkins, Jazul, Javee Mocon, and Tyler Tio in Phoenix’s bid to knot the race-to-3 series at 1-1.
“We were just composed. When we needed a stop, the players made the stop, so I give all the credit to the players,” Beermen tactician Jorge Gallent said after his troops nipped the Kings 92-90 in the first tiff of their Last Four clash also two nights ago.
“As I said, when we needed a big stop, I think they stopped them twice. When we have a chance to stop or win, the players delivered.”
