MAGNOLIA had everything pretty much under control in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against San Miguel, with the title series appearing headed to a do-or-die game over the weekend.
That was until the roof caved in down the stretch.
In the last six minutes of play at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Beermen showed off their offensive prowess, outscoring the opposition 24-9 and forcing the Hotshots into a string of mistakes that turned the tide and allowed them to win the 29th title in franchise history in dramatic fashion, 104-102.
READ Lee rues 'saddest birthday' after Magnolia fades in Game 6
For Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, that was the game right there.
“We lost in the last six minutes mentally. Basically, we’re good, but in the last six minutes we lost on the mental aspect,” said Victolero as he emerged from a Magnolia dugout that was as silent as a graveyard.
Perez, Cruz, Ross deliver
CJ Perez, Jericho Cruz, and veteran Chris Ross knocked in the telling blows for San Miguel, which trailed by 11 with 7:42 to go and by nine, 95-86, entering the four-minute mark.
Magnolia committed 17 turnovers to the 14 of San Miguel, but the Beermen were quick to capitalize as they outscored the Hotshots in turnover points, 29-21.
Victolero pointed out the Beermen scored 20 (compared to the nine of Magnolia) from those turnovers during that crucial stretch of the match.
“That’s mental lapses on our end in terms of execution. We lost on turnover points in the last six minutes,” he added.
“I think they (Beermen) deserve to win because they are mentally prepared and they grind all the way.”
Victolero blames mental lapses
Magnolia was favored to win in all this conference after earning the top billing heading to the playoffs. The Hotshots also completed an 11-game sweep of the pre-season On Tour.
Unfortunately, one thing was still lacking.
“I’m proud of my players. Until the end, we had a chance, until the end we fought. But I think the mental aspect, we need to get better the next time,” stressed Victolero.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
