SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Three weeks ago, Magnolia was in a tough position in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup when it absorbed its fourth loss in five games after melting down late versus Phoenix Super LPG.
Three weeks since, the Hotshots are bound for the quarterfinals as the hottest team with six consecutive wins, the longest winning streak inside the bubble mounted at the former U.S. military base.
That’s why head coach Chito Victolero is immensely blessed that he isn’t really concerned if his team will end up at seventh or eighth entering the next round, even if it puts them in a twice-to-win disadvantage.
Should they fall to no. 8, the Hotshots are bound to face the top-seeded Barangay Ginebra, who are among the favorites to win it all this conference.
“Three weeks ago wala kami sa sitwasyon na ‘to, and nabigyan kami ng chance,” he said moments after their 95-80 win over Blackwater Wednesday to conclude their elimination round campaign.
Entering the quarters either as the seventh or eighth seed is definitely a tall order for the runners-up of the last two all-Filipino meets. But for the 2018 Coach of the Year, what’s important is having that chance to compete.
“Blessed pa rin kami. Yung apat na teams, wala na dito. Na-out na. And then walo na lang ang natira. Blessed talaga kami. Anong posisyon ka? 1 or 8 ka, ang importante dito is you still have a chance,” he said.
Victolero said that this situation isn’t something new for Magnolia, remembering last season’s Philippine Cup where they entered the quarterfinals as the sixth seed and went all the way to the Finals.
Interestingly, the team which the Hotshots beat in the quarters was the Gin Kings, who were no. 3 at that time.
“Kasi ‘yun yung laging tinignan namin. ‘yung opportunity to go again to the next level. We experienced it a lot before, a few years ago, a season ago na talagang galing kami sa bottom, 6 or 7, but we grind out,” he said.
“‘Yun naman mga players ko eh. Kung saan kami makarating. I’m very proud of my players for what they achieved here in the bubble.”
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