FINALLY back in the groove, Magnolia Pambansang Manok will have added artilleries coming its way in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Big men Marc Pingris and Rafi Reavis had been activated by the Hotshots in time for their Petron Blaze Saturday special game agaist the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the Astrodome.
“Yes (they will play),” was the curt reply of Magnolia coach Chito Victolero when asked about the status of the two veteran players.
This will be the first game of Pingris back since going down with an ACL injury during the Philippine Cup semifinals against NLEX last year.
“Kailangan na namin sila lalong-lalo na sa big men, medyo hirap kami,” said Victolero. “That two guys are my best defensive bigs, so hopefully makasama na namin sila.”
Reavis meanwhile, missed the Hotshots’ first four games after having his tooth operated just before the start of the conference.
“So he (Reavis) needs to rest for two or three weeks. Kung bata, pa siya baka bukas lang maglaro na yan,” said Victolero of the 41-year-old Fil-Am.
“Kailangan din ni Rafi yun (rest) dahil sobrang hirap niya and pagod nung last series (Philippine Cup finals) namin and kung maka-recover siya maganda para sa amin.”
The return of Pingris and Reavis couldn’t have come at a better time for the 2-2 Hotshots, who are coming off back-to-back wins after losing their first two games of the tournament.
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