With a focus on making the playoffs, Magnolia is fiercely competitive
Even though the odds are stacked against them, MAGNOLIA still has a shot at making the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals as a top-four seed.
If things don’t go the Hotshots’ way in Wednesday’s matchup against pressure-free Blackwater at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, coach Chito Victolero is already determined to put their collective minds at ease.
“We’re not in the best position to make the playoffs, but we still hope to maintain some momentum heading in. Accordingly, the first few minutes of the game are crucial “reported Victolero on a Tuesday.
The kickoff is at 3 PM
After losing eight straight games and falling to last place with a 1-9 record, the Bossing are officially eliminated from playoff contention but would still like to end the season on a high note.
If Magnolia were to win, however, it would still have a shot at one of the top four spots, but only if its 7-4 record would be good enough to tie for one of the remaining spots in the magic circle.
Victolero insisted that his group should take care of their own business before letting the cards fall where they may. He said, “After our game, we had no control over what happened, what the other people did.
We’re in charge of our own game, so we’ll handle that first and worry about whatever happens later, as Victolero put it. “We need to work hard if we want to make the postseason. Work hard and keep a positive outlook; we may yet have a chance to advance.”
Even though a potential win-twice handicap in the quarterfinals doesn’t bother Victolero, he said his Hotshots’ sense of urgency must be increased even further.
“So, then… what we’re doing is getting over that disadvantage,” Victolero emphasized. Simply adopting a positive frame of mind will go a long way for us, both now and in the future.
Victolero is mostly concerned about Magnolia’s recent game, which the Hotshots won against Terrafirma. However, this victory came only after the Hotshots battled back from a 15-point deficit in the final 4:39 of regulation and won in overtime.
“What happened in the previous game is the last thing we need. Despite our best efforts in the final five minutes of regulation, the overtime period, and beyond, we came up short. But that strategy won’t work in our upcoming matchup “As Victolero mentioned.
“Dapat umpisa pa lang full effort nandoon na,” Victolero elaborated. “Our only goal is to maintain a steady performance all game. We have to outwork and outhustle the opposition all game long, not just tomorrow but in the postseason as well.”
Final Thoughts
The Magnolia Hotshots’ determination to make the playoffs is admirable, and their coach, Chito Victolero, is doing his best to keep the team focused and positive despite the odds stacked against them. While their upcoming matchup against Blackwater is crucial, Victolero reminds his players that they are in control of their own game and must focus on giving their full effort from the very beginning.
Even if they end up with a win-twice handicap in the quarterfinals, the Hotshots’ sense of urgency must be increased even further if they want to have a chance to advance in Philippine Cup Betting. It remains to be seen whether Magnolia will make the playoffs or not, but one thing is certain: their fierce competitiveness and hard work will make them a force to be reckoned with in the PBA.
