AMID speculations on Magnolia’s possible future with a new leader at the helm, Hotshots team manager Alvin Patrimonio made it clear that longtime head coach Chito Victolero is in it for the long haul.
“He will be a long-term head coach for the team,” said Patrimonio. "So far, okay naman ang results and performance niya as the head coach. Together with the assistant coaches, talagang tulong-tulong sila and they love the team, the players kaya buong puso ‘yan for Magnolia.
“[Chito Victolero] will stay,” the PBA great added.
Entering his eighth year as the Hotshots’ chief coach, the former PBA champion and Coach of the Year is coming off a grueling six-game title series loss to San Miguel in the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup.
‘Kap,’ however, said Magnolia’s bridesmaid finish is just the preview of what the 14-time league winners are still capable of.
“Very crucial talaga ‘yung Game 6 because I think [in the last] four or five minutes, lamang ‘yung team. ‘Yung end lang with three minutes to go na lang [humabol] ‘yung San Miguel. But it’s part of the game talaga na may mananalo at may matatalo.”
Patrimonio added: “We accepted that as men and talagang babawi na lang next conference. ‘Yung mga mistakes, the attitudes, nandu’n naman ‘yan eh. Mag-iimprove pa ‘yan, may ibibigay pa ‘yan, may ibo-boost pa ‘yung team.”
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