Magnolia considers itself lucky to have acquired someone who’s proving to be a valuable asset without actually letting go of somebody.
That is none other than Adrian Wong, who on Saturday evening exploded for a career-high scoring performance as the Hotshots obliterated Phoenix Super LPG to remain perfect in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Picked up from free agency after being released by Rain or Shine, the 25-year-old winger fired 18 points, half of which he made in the third quarter as he helped out in opening the floodgates towards the 103-83 victory.
All of his output came from beyond the arc, which, according to league stats chief and Tiebreaker Times columnist Fidel Mangonon III, is the most he’s had yet.
Photo by PBA Images
“Maswerte kami kasi nakuha namin siya na ‘di kami gumamit ng trade,” said head coach Victolero after the match at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
This isn’t the first time that Wong made his presence felt for his new team. He had eight points, two rebounds, and a steal in nearly 21 minutes in their 112-109 come-from-behind win versus NLEX last Wednesday.
The Ateneo product began the season-ending conference with the Elasto Painters, but was let go following the expiration of his contract last January. It ended his stay with the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2019.
Victolero felt that RoS welcoming Mike Nieto into the fold made it easier for the club to let go of Wong, which in turn was a blessing for Magnolia.
Photo by PBA Images
“I think for the Rain or Shine team din also, I don’t know but they got Mike Nieto I think, and then parehas sila ng posisyon so maybe ‘yung posisyon na ‘yun, sobra sila,” opined the former Coach of the Year.
Blessing, indeed, was Wong for the Hotshots, especially with the team currently without its top wings in Calvin Abueva and Rome Dela Rosa because of leg injuries. And his presence has made their absences bearable.
Victolero said that Wong fits just right into Magnolia and its scheme of things, most especially to its identity as a defense-oriented unit.
“Actually, si Adrian, niru-rush lang namin yan eh,” recalled the former player turned coach. “I mean, ang usapan nga namin is just we try to be patient with him, learn from the veterans like Jio, Mike, and Paul, learn the system.
“But the problem nga is nagkaroon kami ng injuries. so, kailangan niya mag-step up. But, you know, we feel na bagay siya sa’min kasi ‘yung depensa niya; he’s long and tall; he’s athletic,” he continued.
“So, ‘yun ‘yung isang talagang dahilan kung bakit ko siya kinuha — ‘yung defensive mindset ni Adrian.”
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