VICTORIES have been few and far between for Magnolia against San Miguel, which is why its 98-95 overtime win last Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup was a huge one.
The Hotshots actually snapped a four-game losing streak against the Beermen last Wednesday – the stretch of which included the last two games of the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup finals series.
READ: Clutch Barroca lifts Magnolia past San Miguel in OT thriller
Prior to last Wednesday, Magnolia has also lost six of its last eight games against San Miguel that included the first two games of the aforementioned Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero noted the importance of the game against San Miguel as to where they are now following a lengthy preparation that was a result of their early quarterfinal exit in last conference’s Commissioner’s Cup.
“We need this kind of game, an overtime game, a grinding game to test our character and to test kung nasaan kami ngayon at this stage of the league,” said Victolero.
“Sa third game namin, we faced this number one team San Miguel. We know na mahihirapan kami dito. Alam namin na magiging close game, grinding game,” he added.
The Hotshots actually overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat the Beermen thanks to clutch shots from rising sophomore star Zavier Lucero, rookie Jerom Lastimosa, and veteran Mark Barroca.
Magnolia was down at halftime, 45-36, but Victolero said they still liked its chances of overcoming the deficit since it was a low scoring game where the Hotshots have thrived.
Prior to the SMB game, Magnolia has only gave up an average of 77.5 points per game.
“I told them na we were down by nine, but I told them na I like the pace because they only scored 45 points. It’s a matter of ‘yung run namin ‘yung hinihintay ko because we don’t have runs in the first half, so sabi ko lang, magkaroon lang tayo ng magandang run sa second half, makakabalik tayo,” said Victolero.
But Victolero is very much aware that the conference is a marathon, not a sprint, citing how important the Holy Week break was since their next game will be on Saturday in Zamboanga City against Phoenix.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, bonus na nanalo kami dahil matagal ‘yung magiging pahinga namin,” said Victolero.
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