RUSSEL Escoto was quick to repay Magnolia after being re-signed to a fresh contract by the team.
The seven-year veteran provided quality minutes off the bench in the Hotshots’ Game 1 loss against the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Escoto proved up to the task
Escoto was among the ‘magic bunot’ sent in by coach Chito Victolero along with Joseph Eriobu and Jed Mendoza in the final five minutes as the chips were down on the Hotshots.
But Escoto proved up to the task and helped the team make a game out of it before eventually losing steam in the end, 103-95.
He finished with three points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal while trying to contain San Miguel import Bennie Boatwright.
His effort came just days after he renewed his ties with the Hotshots.
Escoto gets fresh deal
Marvin Espiritu, who represents Escoto through the Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management (EMBM), said the former Far Eastern University big man was signed to a fresh one-year deal, but refused to divulge the details of the new contract.
Escoto, who won a UAAP men’s championship with the Tamaraws in 2015, is in his third season with Magnolia, which acquired him in 2021 from Terrafirma in exchanged for its 2023 second round pick.
The Dyip used the pick to select former Letran star Louie Sangalang.
The 31-year-old Escoto was originally picked by the KIA franchise as part of the Gilas special draft in 2016.
He’s eyeing to win his first PBA championship with Magnolia.
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