Reigning Coach of the Year Chito Victolero rued that his Magnolia Hotshots have yet to regain its timing on offense following the 75-80 overtime loss they absorbed from TNT KaTropa Sunday night that spoiled their 2019 PBA Philippine Cup debut.
Stats had proven the Mapua product’s assessment, as Magnolia only made 27 of their 81 shots from the field. Moreover, the Hotshots only scored two points in the extra period, care of Rafi Reavis’ mid-range jumper.
“Yung offense, makikita mo naman na wala pa kami sa timing,” shared Victolero moments after their loss at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Sumalo lang sa amin yung depensa.”
Asked if the loss had been brought upon by a hangover following their copping of the 2018 Governors’ Cup championship just last December that ended the storied franchise’s four-year title drought, Victolero doesn’t think so.
“Natural lang naman yan but maganda naman yung mindset nila ngayon e. Breaks of the game lang talaga,” he said.
Victolero had also lamented missing the services of last season’s Mythical First Team member Paul Lee no thanks to a thumb injury, which he incurred during the Hotshots’ practice just a day prior to their season debut.
“Medyo minalas pa, na-injure pa si Paul.”
But as stinging as the loss had been, Victolero is still satisfied with the fight his wards put up against the fourth-running TNT. And he’s also confident that the Hotshots will be able to regain their rhythm as the conference rolls.
“Sa nakita ko, I’m very happy dahil kahit papaano, lumaban yung mga bata, talagang muntik pa nga, medyo may defensive lapses lang kami noong huli. Pero overall, okay naman,” he opined.
“Next few games makukuha namin yan.”
