Feb 28, 2020

Victolero says Magnolia Hotshots determined to take another shot at PBA's most coveted trophy

Coming tantalizingly close to the coveted PBA Philippine Cup only to get foiled by history-making San Miguel Beer the last two seasons, the Magnolia Hotshots are determined more than ever to strike gold on their third try in Season 45.

Chito Victolero's Magnolia crew made a serious bid for the crown jewel of the league in 2018, but found itself crushed by a four-peat-clinching SMB in five. A year later, the Hotshots forged a rematch with the Beermen, taking a 3-2 series lead only to fall short in the closeout Game 6 and fumble in the thrilling decider.

"HIndi mabubura sa isip namin iyun, talagang masyadong natandaan namin - one possession, one stop, one offensive play (away from winning the 2019 crown), so ito yung isa sa motivation namin," said Victolero.

Last year's finals in particular left a bitter taste as the Hotshots had every opportunity to steal Game 7 from the Beermen.

Magnolia held SMB to a lowly five-point showing in the second quarter en route to a 38-25 lead at the half and was still up, 43-26 in the third before the defending champs made their comeback.

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The Beermen then outlasted Magnolia in a down-to-the-wire affair, with Alex Caganot firing the go-ahead for 72-71 and Jio Jalalon and Paul Lee flubbing two potential game winners sandwiching two missed freethrows by June Mar Fajardo down the stretch.

"This is our third try. In 2018, na-dominate kami ng San Miguel (4-1), 2019, almost. So right now, ito yung ginagawa naming motivation sa paghahanda namin sa All-Filipino," said Victolero.

That the Hotshots also haven't won a PBA title since their triumph in the 2018 Governors' Cup makes Victolero and Co. more driven.

"Kapag nag-uusap kami lagi kong pinapaalala sa players ko na dapat tayo yun (2019 Philippine Cup champions). At the same time, yung feeling nung nag-champion tayo sa Governors' Cup ibalik natin. Hopefully magawa namin ngayon," said Victolero.

Magnolia opens its bid right on opening night (Mar. 8) and against the Beermen at that.

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There's just a big differrence in this year's edition, though, as SMB is without its main man, June Mar Fajardo (out indefinitely after fracturing his shin in practice).

"You know, big factor si June Mar. We experienced it, hindi lang kami, lahat ng teams. He dominated the game the last five years and of course we don't want na ma-injure si June Mar but this is the chance siguro not only for Magnolia but even the other teams also kahit paano na maging maganda ang chances this conference," he said.

"Pero hindi naman pwede sabihing bale wala na ang San Miguel. They have a lot of talented players, very experienced players na alam paano manalo. So ano pa rin, team to beat pa rin ang San Miguel," he added.

Victolero maintained his core led by Lee, Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca and veteran Mark Pringris. Chris Banchero, who was acquired in a third-conference trade, plays his first full season while pre-season trade acqusition Jackson Corpuz is set for his debut.

"We need to make sure we have the proper mindset going to the this conferece because everybody is motivated na mag-compete especially with two big guys (Fajardo and Ginebra's Greg Slaughter) out," he said.(OL)