The Magnolia Hotshots can’t afford to have encore of what happened to them last season
The Hotshots have now moved a win away from the 2018 Philippine Cup Finals with an 87-78 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in Game Five of the semifinals at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Sunday night.
But even with the advantageous 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series — and even with the odds seemingly veering their way — Magnolia weren’t in the mood to celebrate, for they have yet to exorcise the ghosts of the past.
They have been in this position before. Back in the 2017 Philippine Cup, the Hotshots were also on the cusp of moving to the Finals for the first time since 2014 — the year they had won a rare Grand Slam feat.
Then all of a sudden, their dreams turned into nightmares. The Hotshots squandered their advantage, and eventually lost to eventual runners-up Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game Seven.
Photo by PBA Images
“Same situation as last year,” reflected stretch big man Aldrech Ramos, who had 15 points and nine rebounds.
But instead of fearing that lightning might strike twice, Magnolia are using their experiences from last year to prevent another meltdown, and to stop themselves from falling into the pit of futility yet again.
“We need to learn from our experiences last season. Kasi ganitong-ganito, 3-2,” said slotman Ian Sangalang, who finished Game 5 with 14 points and 11 rebounds. “After ng game kanina, no celebration. We just need to focus lang sa next game. Talagang focus lang kami.
“‘Di kami nag-celebrate kanina after the game, tahimik lang kami kasi gusto namin manalo next game. Di namin pwede ibigay sa kanila. Gusto namin kuhanin yung game. So ipu-push namin kung anong magagawa namin.”
Now, it’s all on the Hotshots if they have learned their lessons well.
