MAGNOLIA will essentially clinch a quarterfinal berth with another win in its clash against Rain or Shine on Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup 49th Season to be held at the Ynares Center II in Montalban, Rizal.
Aside from that, the Hotshots will equal their franchise record of a 7-0 start to the conference with a win on Sunday, tying the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup squad and 2008 Philippine Cup.
READ: Paul Lee a believer of Victolero's long rotation for Magnolia
Hotshots coach Chito Victolero considers the match against the Elasto Painters as a test as they play the Elasto Painters following their 117-92 win over Meralco last Wednesday.
With just four days to prepare against another traditional playoff contender in the Elasto Painters, Victolero said the game will provide a challenge for the Hotshots that are also guarding against complacency.
It will only be the second time this conference that Magnolia will have four days in between games since the Hotshots opened the tournament against Blackwater on April 5 followed by Converge on April 9.
“We are facing another top team which is Rain or Shine,” said Victolero. “So it’s a test for us, character-wise, individually and as a team also, and I think pati ‘yung condition namin, pati ‘yung mindset, it’s a test for us.”
“Good thing kasi nga naman sa playoffs naman, ganyan, every other game day so maganda rin para sa amin itong back-to-back games namin,” he added.
Victolero welcomes such tests since, as seen in past performances, a hot start doesn’t mean championships, including those 7-0 starts of the Magnolia/Purefoods franchise of the past.
The 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup team lost to San Miguel for the title, while the 2008 Philippine Cup squad also squandered their championship hopes against Sta. Lucia in Game 7.
“Mindset namin is malayo pa ‘to. We experienced this before and ‘yung mga experience namin, dinadala lang namin ngayon. We experienced last conference na we were 2-5, and then last season, we were 7-0. So babalik lang namin ‘yung mga experience namin,” said Victolero.
“And then doon kami magsisimula ‘yung ayusin namin ‘yung mental aspect ng mga players and ‘yung buong team. Nagsisimula sa akin, and then sa mga beterano kung paano namin i-hahandle ‘yung practices namin at ‘yung mga games,” he added.
Magnolia faces a Rain or Shine squad that is looking to improve on its 3-2 win-loss mark.
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