MAGNOLIA coach Chito Victolero obviously hasn’t studied San Miguel ahead of their PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup titular showdown since they were focused on Phoenix Super LPG in the semifinals.
But one thing is certain for him: it will be a difficult team to overcome in the finals.
Victolero sees sleepless nights
“Wala na namang tulugan ‘to,” said Victolero. “We will try to think of what we need to do with this powerful team.”
The Hotshots clinched a finals berth on Wednesday when they beat Phoenix Super LPG, 89-79, in Game Four of the semifinals. It arranged a championship series with San Miguel, a team it lost to during the 2019 Philippine Cup in seven games.
Victolero said that if there is something apt to describe San Miguel, it is the recent statement of head coach Jorge Gallent describing his team as ‘Death 15’ instead of the second coming of the ‘Death Five’ that became known during their championship years in the mid-2010s.
“Nabasa ko, sabi ni coach Jorge, Death 15. Death Five nga nahirapan na kami, ‘yung 15 pa kaya,” said Victolero.
Magnolia will only have one day to prepare against San Miguel as Game One will be played on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Victolero: We'll try to find ways
For now, Victolero said they will do their best to figure out the firepower of San Miguel, a team that has won nine games in a row, and has been undefeated since Bennie Boatwright took over as import.
“We will try to find ways. Lahat naman may solusyon. We will go to our strength which is ‘yung defense. We will see,” said Victolero.
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