Jio Jalalon (heart) offered a whole lot of scoring help to Ian Sangalang in opposition to Barangay Ginebra. —PBA IMAGES
Magnolia barely made it previous a gallant enemy on Sunday and the Hotshots moved inside a win of climbing to .500, however that didn’t hold coach Chito Victolero from celebrating the victory in an enormous manner.
“Truly, I salute my gamers a lot,” he mentioned on the heels of an 89-84 resolution over Barangay Ginebra within the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at Mall of Asia Enviornment in Pasay Metropolis. “I imply, we talked about adversity, about challenges. We performed three video games within the final 5 days and performed elite groups. Our aim was to win two out of three, and we did simply that.”
Ian Sangalang and Jio Jalalon starred within the Hotshots’ second win in 5 video games total, placing up 24 and 19 factors, respectively, to buck the absence of a recovering Paul Lee and the sudden exit of Calvin Abueva, who was ejected early within the fourth quarter.
Bridesmaids of final yr’s Philippine Cup, the Hotshots had been made to run the gauntlet final week. Earlier than taking over the group darlings, they performed harmful NorthPort and a San Miguel Beer crew raring to reclaim its lofty place within the event, prevailing solely in opposition to the Batang Pier.
Coming into the midway level of the convention, Victolero is aware of that his costs are nearing their bodily limits due to the schedule.
“All credit score to the gamers,” he mentioned. “I do know simply how drained they’re. I do know that they’ve been going by issues mentally and bodily.”
However it’s not like that is the primary time it has occurred to this rugged crew.
“We’ve been right here earlier than, we’ve been collectively for some time,” mentioned Victolero.
Magnolia additionally misplaced 4 of its first 5 outings within the 2019 PH Cup earlier than profitable all however considered one of its subsequent six matches to make the Finals and lose to the Beermen in seven video games.
“I do know these guys—they won’t again down from something,” mentioned Victolero. “They are going to carry on pushing.” INQ
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