Unlike last year’s Philippine Cup Finals, the Magnolia Hotshots now carry with them a boatload of experience when they take on the San Miguel Beermen in the sequel.
“We experienced them last year and thank God that we are here again. But we also experienced what it is like to be a champion last conference,” said Chito Victolero after Magnolia’s pulsating 63-60 Game Seven overtime win versus Rain or Shine.
“Hopefully, that experience can give us motivation and confidence heading into the Finals.”
Last year, the Beermen flat-out dominated the Hotshots.
After dropping Game One, San Miguel blasted Magnolia, winning the next four games by an average margin of 13.0 points en route to their fifth straight Philippine Cup.
Since that series, the Hotshots were able to win the 2018 Governors’ Cup. They turned that heartbreak into a much-needed boost.
“I know they are the mighty San Miguel Beermen. They are resting right now. But I just trust my players,” Victolero continued.
“I know that we will give them a good fight.”
Their route to the rematch was an unexpected one, though.
Magnolia started their Philippine Cup campaign with a 0-3 slate, and fell to 1-4 midway through the conference. The Hotshots managed to turn it around and finish the elimination round campaign as the sixth seed.
The Hotshots then stunned Ginebra in the best-of-three quarterfinals series, before coming back from a 0-2 hole to take a 4-2 semifinals series win versus the second-seed Rain or Shine.
“Sabi ko nga, we are not the most talented team, but I think the chemistry will help us. Sanay kami as underdog, mas gusto namin yun,” Victolero expressed.
“Against Ginebra, underdog kami tapos nung semis, underdog ulit kami.”
And come the Finals, Victolero and the Hotshots look to enter the series with the same underdog mindset as they try to slay the giant of the league.
“We know that they the advantage and that they are the defending champion. Pero malay mo, maka-chamba ulit. But you know, nothing is impossible at bilog ang bola.”
