MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados coach Chito Victolero is moving on from their first defeat in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup which he said serves as a learning experience.
The Hotshots were dealt with a 113-110 loss by Rain or Shine on Saturday that ended their seven-game winning streak to start the conference.
READ Rain or Shine snaps Magnolia's seven-game winning streak
The Hotshots actually won all 11 games during the PBA on Tour exhibition series, meaning they haven’t lost a match since March 22, 2023 when they were ousted by Meralco, 113-107, in the quarterfinals of last season’s Governors’ Cup.
Victolero said the Hotshots paid dearly for a flat start against the Elasto Painters which they can’t afford to do against any opponent late in the conference.
But for Victolero, a silver lining was that the loss happened in the elimination round and the Hotshots will have time to make adjustments as they head into the playoffs.
“Sabi nga nila, ‘yung law of averages na matatalo ka na, baka dumating na rin sa amin. But I don’t want to make an excuse,” said Victolero on Tuesday. “I have to give credit to Rain or Shine. They were prepared sa out-of-town game na ‘yun.”
“Sabi ko nga dati we are the target. So if we are not ready to play a hundred percent, we will have a hard time kasi motivated lahat ng teams na talunin kami.”
“We came out flat sa first half. We were not ready in the first half. Malaki ‘yung kailangan naming habulin, plus the fact na Rain or Shine played very well. I think they shot almost 50 percent from three points and their import maganda ang nilaro nung first half."
Ahead of their Wednesday’s game against Terrafirma at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Victolero said: “It’s a lesson and we move forward. Tapos na ‘yung winning streak. We need to bounce back tomorrow para kahit papano, makabalik kami doon sa winning streak.”
Pressure eases on Hotshots
Victolero, however, admitted the pressure on the team has eased since the Hotshots haven’t lost in months.
“Actually, maraming nang naghihintay na matalo na kami,” Victolero said in jest. “Laging pinag-uusapan ‘yun nung preseason and this conference also. But of course, hindi naman mawawala ‘yun.
"At least, kahit papaano, na-ano na rin ‘yung pressure. Ang positive lang doon, we don’t want it to happen in the playoffs ‘yung law of averages,” said Victolero.
Even before the defeat, Magnolia has already secured a quarterfinal berth with its seventh win so the next target is the twice-to-beat incentive.
“’Yun na talaga ‘yung target namin for the last three games. We need to be locked in and focused para makuha namin ‘yung incentive na ‘yun,” said Victolero.
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