Last season’s Philippine Cup finalists are now in a position they never expected to be.
The Magnolia Hotshots have now hit rock bottom of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup standings following the stinging 87-89 defeat they absorbed at the hands of league leaders Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, Wednesday night.
The Hotshots – who are known as one of the harshest tormentors of the Fuel Masters, whom they have beaten by more than 40 – blew a 17-point advantage as Jason Perkins and his crew fought back gallantly.
The loss had sent Magnolia down to 1-4.
“We [are having] a hard time. Yung three losses namin, all down the wire eh. All breaks of the game eh. Talk N Text, Rain or Shine, this game. I think yung toughness kailangan namin dagdagan,” opined the reigning Coach of the Year.
“It’s all breaks of the game eh. So kung medyo mas tight pa yung depensa namin eh, baka na-stop namin yun. It’s on me. Sa akin lahat yun. It’s my responsibility, it’s my call.”
Magnolia still have six games left in their calendar to try to turn their conference around. And for Victolero, now is the time that his chargers should start playing with a sense of urgency, as they cannot afford another defeat.
“Itong mga natitirang game namin, kailangan parang playoff mentality na kami,” said Victolero. “Kailangan na namin magkaroon ng sense of urgency na kapag hindi pa kami manalo, maa-out kami for this conference.”
