RANGED against a taxing schedule, a nagging injury to Paul Lee, and the ejection of Calvin Abueva, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is not one to lose faith in his charges.
The Hotshots turned Victolero’s belief into game that enabled them to bring down Ginebra last Sunday night.
“Sobrang saludo ako sa mga players ko. We talked about the adversities and the challenges. We played three games in the last five days, and we played elite teams. Our goal is to go two out of three and nagawa naman namin,” Victolero said.
“Credit to all the players. Alam ko gaano sila kapagod, alam ko gaano kahirap iyong dinadala nila mentally and physically,” he added.
Victolero spoke after his brave squad scored an 89-84 victory over the Kings in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The hard-earned win that served as a big bounce back from Magnolia’s 81-87 loss to San Miguel Beer last Friday handed Ginebra its first loss of the season-opening tourney and more importantly lifted the Hotshots to 2-3.
Center Ian Sangalang powered his way to 24 points and nine rebounds for Magnolia, while Jio Jalalon ably stepped up for Lee with 19 markers, four boards, six assists, and three steals.
Victolero maintained he knew his team would not falter against the Kings.
“We’ve been here before. I know these guys. I know naman that they will not back down and will keep on pushing and ibinigay nila lahat. It’s the desire, the will to win, and the mental toughness,” Victolero said.
“Alam naman natin kung gaano kalakas ang Ginebra, kumpleto ang materyales and nandoon ang crowd and everything.”
LA Tenorio carried the fight for Ginebra with 15 points and three assists, while Scottie Thompson added 13 markers and eight caroms.
Christian Standhardinger had 12 and 10, while Prince Caperal contributed 10 points for the Kings, who lost Stanley Pringle to a hamstring injury in the third quarter.
“Talagang ang dami naming dapat bigyan ng pansin,” Victolero said. “We just tried to execute ang gameplan namin and mag-enjoy kami kasi ‘Manila Clasico’ tapos Father’s Day pa.”
Meanwhile, the PBA has slapped NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio a P20,000 fine for bumping Blackwater counterpart Ariel Vanguardia during the customary coaches’ handshake at center court at the end of their teams’ match last Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
