Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero admitted that the team geared up for Sunday night’s PBA Governors’ Cup meeting with rivals San Miguel Beer without knowing which import they will go up against.
The Hotshots, according to the champion mentor, were only notified of their opponents’ official switch from Orlando Johnson to Shabazz Muhammad just as when they were about to wrap up practice.
“Wala kaming time to prepare because nakuha namin ‘yung memo actually patapos na ‘yung ensayo namin,” he shared.
So, Victolero and his coaching staff had to double their efforts in gathering tapes and highlights of the former NBA veteran, just so they could plot out whatever plan they could come up with to defend him.
“We just tried to rely on tapes, on highlights. And then, we just tried to give out ideas sa mga players namin,” said the former Coach of the Year.
“Talagang wala kaming scouting report dun sa player nila.”
Game night came and Muhammad went on to finish with 27 points and 17 rebounds in over 39 minutes to mark his PBA debut.
However, his efforts weren’t enough. The Beermen absorbed a harsh 87-104 beating, giving the 29-year-old a rude reception.
Victolero said that among the things Magnolia did against Muhammad was give him different looks, and so he threw a variety of defenders his way — from the youthful duo of Adrian Wong and Aris Dionisio, to even Rafi Reavis.
The cager-turned-mentor was proud of his wards’ efforts. Well, Muhammad shot missed 17 of his 28 shots, and committed eight turnovers.
“Maganda lang dito sa’min, we’re willing to adjust during the game. So we tried to give him … iba-ibang depensa,” Victolero said.
“Like, we gave him Adrian Wong on the start, and then si Aris, and then after that si Rafi. Pinapalit-palit lang namin,” he added.
“Alam namin na wala pa siya sa kundisyon, ‘Yung game shape niya hindi pa nandoon but medyo maganda rin ‘yung dinipensa ng mga bata.”
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