The Star Hotshots are now in a slump midway into the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup after absorbing their second straight loss against the San Miguel Beermen, 103-97, Sunday night, but that is not what concerns head coach Chito Victolero.
What alarms the 41-year-old tactician the most is the Hotshots’ growing number of players being placed on the injury list, with the current number now at three.
“Of course! Very alarming yun kasi ilan na lang players ko,” admitted Victolero moments after their bout against the Beermen at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“‘Di kami makukumpleto sa practice, tapos yung rotation ko maiiba rin.”
Prior to Sunday, Victolero and Star only had two players sitting on the sidelines — forward Marc Pingris (hip) and high-leaping guard Justin Melton (hamstring). But during their match against SMB, another Hotshot suffered an injury.
Stretch forward Aldrech Ramos suffered a nasal fracture after an inadvertent hit by SMB import Charles Rhodes with just 1:18 left in the opening period. He was then rushed to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City for further treatment.
The next outings will definitely be a rough stretch for the Hotshots, as they have three players out and nursing their respective injuries, but Victolero says that those things are beyond their control.
“But wala tayo magagawa dun eh. ‘Di naman natin kagustuhan yun,” rued the first-year coach.
Now that the Hotshots are three men short, Victolero calls for his remaining wards to step up in a time needed the most.
“Siguro kailangan lang namin mag-focus sa practice. Lalo na yung mga natitirang players, kailangan mag-step up siguro,” hoped Victolero.
