IT will take more than just experience to win something as pressure-packed as a Game 7.
While Magnolia may have been involved in several sudden-death games in the PBA, coach Chito Victolero said other intangibles also come in handy in a match of great importance such as the one the Hotshots will play opposite the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for the remaining finals berth in the Philippine Cup.
Victolero was quick to refute the claim of Rain or Shine counterpart Caloy Garcia about the Hotshots having the huge advantage against his team as far as playing in do-or-die games is concerned.
“Hindi lang naman siguro experience. Kailangan din ng will, skill and effort,” said the Magnolia coach.
“Basically, it’s all about the will of the players and the whole team.”
The Hotshots were stretched to their first Game 7 in two seasons after the Elasto Painters came through with a 91-81 win on Friday night to level at 3-3 their best-of-seven semis series.
But like their previous win-or-go home experience, Victolero hopes Magnolia will likewise be able to endure this one.
“Maraming beses na, we know the feeling, and hopefully we’ll be able to survive this Game 7 again,” he said.
The champion coach the X’s and O’s are definitely already out of the window when the Hotshots and Elasto Painters go at it again for the last time on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Kaunti na lang ang adjustment,” he said. “We’ll just try to review the tape (of Game 6) and tingnan namin kung ano pa ang puwedeng gawin for us to ready by Sunday.”
“Basta we’ll give everything on Sunday.”
Winner of the sudden-death will face four-time reigning champion San Miguel in a best-of-seven title series starting May 1.
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