CHiCAGO — Fifteen months since dismissing Chito Victolero as head coach, the Magnolia Hotshots have shown little improvement.
Three postseason appearances in three conferences, two ending in uneventful quarterfinal exits and one that is currently about to suffer the same fate.
As the No. 1 seed in Group B of the ongoing Season 50 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs, there was reasonable expectation of a breakthrough for the Hotshots.
READ LA Tenorio on Game 1 loss: ‘Gulpi de gulat ang nangyari’
And then all hope died at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday.
TNT 92. Magnolia 70.
FAVORED UNDERDOGS.
Don’t be fooled by the Tropang 5G’s No. 4 rank, they have championship pedigree and are extremely well-coached.
Yes, it’s only Game 1 of a best-of-five series, but if you think the Hotshots can beat TNT in three of the next four games, you’re delusional.
While acknowledging the might of TNT, Magnolia coach LA Tenorio was defiant, saying, “we have a chance to get back and adjust.”
They can try. And they will fail.
Because they’ve handed the keys to the offense to Jerom Lastimosa who’s clearly not ready.
Against TNT’s murderers’ row of point guards that include Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac and Jordan Heading, Lastimosa was overmatched, overwhelmed.
STAY WITH THE OFFENSE.
The former Adamson star hit only 2-of-10 shots for six points with two assists and two turnovers in 31 minutes and 52 seconds of play.
The ball stuck in his hands, dribbled too much and was often late or reluctant to pass the ball to open teammates in screen-and-roll actions.
While TNT ran an organized offense, Magnolia countered with selfish chaos that resulted in the Tropa leading by as many as 25 points.
Coach LA needs to put Lastimosa under control and hold the rest of the team accountable as it pertains to adhering to the offensive and defensive schemes.
And how about more touches for Zavier Lucero? Last time I checked, he’s Magnolia’s best player.
Tenorio is nice and fraternal to his players, and that’s cool.
Sometimes, though, a wave of tender loving screaming gets the message across faster.
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