Russel Escoto is embracing a bigger role he’s been entrusted with as Magnolia pushes for a deeper run in the newly-opened PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
The Hotshots are off to a 2-0 start in the season-ending conference, and the nine-year veteran started on both occasions, giving the impression that the new approach in place has been working with him helping show the way.
“Sabi nga ni Coach, i-set lang namin ‘yung tone doon sa bagong sistema namin, kasi ‘yung first group talaga yung magse-set ng tone sa laro,” he said.
Escoto’s presence was felt especially in their most recent win — an 83-71 result over Converge Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum to take the early lead in the standings which they’d share with San Miguel later in the night.
There, he scored all of his 11 points in the first half, leaving head coach Chito Victolero pleased as he’s seeing his ward reap the benefits of his work.
“He worked a lot in the off-season. Mahirap lang kasi ‘pag may import, talagang kakainin ng import ‘yong minutes,” the champion mentor offered.
“Now, they have the opportunity to play. Kumpiyansa lang,” added Victolero. “Tinatrabaho naman nila sa practice, that’s why lumalabas sa game.”
Escoto being utilized is part of the Hotshots’ aim to maximize their assets from top to bottom to provide themselves ample legs to finish games strong.
That’s exactly what happened against the FiberXers. With the 6-foot-6 big man solid during the game’s first 24 minutes, the crew had enough gas in the home stretch as Zavier Lucero and his seniors ended the game with a 12-6 rally.
“We want to have fresh legs every time,” said Victolero as he used 13 of his 15 men in the game. “Para down the stretch, we’ll have good execution.”
For Escoto, it’s just his way of showing how much he stays ready whenever his number gets called — whether or not he’d log long minutes.
“Thankful ako na nag-start ako. Ready lang ako eh,” he said. “Kinausap naman ako ni Coach na ibigay ko lang yung mga dapat kong ibigay sa team.
“Just following the rules, ‘yung game plan namin. Sumusunod na lang talaga ‘yung kung anong dapat sumunod sa laro ko,” he added.
Escoto, though, didn’t hide that he’s hoping that this turns out to be the break he’s been longing for since joining the league in 2016 as part of the Gilas Draft.
“Hopefully,” said the Far Eastern University alumnus. “Sana, magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung paglalaro ko. And sana makatulong ako sa team.”
But of course, championships matter more than everything else and Escoto wishes that he’d be able to help Magnolia get to the Promised Land again.
“Alam naman natin na matagal na ring hindi naka-champion ‘yung team so sana, makatulong ako para makamit namin ‘yung goal na ‘yun,” he said.
#WATCH: Mark Barroca, Zav Lucero, Paul Lee, and the Magnolia crew couldn’t hide their hype as Russel Escoto showed out vs. Converge 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA2025 pic.twitter.com/XceNuzx5tq
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 9, 2025
