IT was a final play meant for Glenn Robinson III which unfortunately, the import failed to convert from the four-point line.
Nonetheless, coach Chito Victolero was satisfied with the way Magnolia played against Meralco despite a 99-94 loss in the PBA Governors' Cup opener on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"That's the play, with the two other guards serving as decoy. Then we wanted him to create his shot or [for] his teammates," said Victolero following the loss.
"But he chose to take the four-point. Desisyon niya yun, but that's the play."
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The Hotshots were just down by three with 11 seconds left and came off a timeout before Robinson took the four-point attempt.
Victorelo though, lauded the Hotshots for fighting their way back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter and made it a close game going home.
But he lamented how the team lost the battle off the boards and allowed the reigning Philippine Cup champion a lot of second-chance points. The Hotshots were outrebounded, 61-44.
“Mabigat yung rebounding. Ang laki nung discrepancy. I think yung offensive rebounds dun kami natalo. Ang dami nilang offensive rebounds, e,” said the Magnolia coach.
“Na-outwork and na-outhustle kami ng Meralco in the first three quarters."
Satisfaction
Overall, Victolero was pleased with the way the team played as Robinson, Ian Sangalang, and Paul Lee led a late charge by the Hotshots.
“It was a good game. At least we gave ourselves a chance to win,” he said. “Satisfied na rin on our first game. Nakita namin na at least we can compete with a champion team.”
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