Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Victolero excited as fans return in new Clasico chapter


The feeling never gets old.

Chito Victolero feels excited to take part in yet another chapter of the famed Manila Clasico rivalry. His Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel are billed to slug it out on Christmas Day at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

But what makes the upcoming tiff even more special for the Hotshots head coach is the fact that they will once again be playing in front of a crowd. The last two editions took place without any fans due to the ongoing pandemic.

“It’s a big game for both teams because, after two years, the crowd is back,” he said Sunday moments after their 109-98 victory over Rain or Shine.

This was their second win in as many games in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.

“Alam naman natin na, even me, nung bata ako sinusundan ko yung game na yan. Yung mga parents natin, mga lolos, I think they are excited also to watch the Manila Clasico again live,” Victolero added.

“It’s a Christmas gift for the PBA fans, and for Magnolia and Ginebra fans.”

The last two Clasico affairs happened in a bubble. First was in the 2020 Philippine Cup at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga; then in the next all-Filipino conference just last July at the Ynares Sports Arena.

And in both instances, Magnolia emerged victoriously. The Hotshots took down the Gin Kings by way of a 102-92 decision in Angeles. They then followed it up with an 89-79 triumph in Pasig behind the exploits of Paul Lee.

The last time the two played before a live audience was in the 2019 Governors’ Cup, also at the Big Dome. There, Justin Brownlee shone with a triple-double as the Barangay handed their foes a hash 105-83 beatdown.

#ReadMore  PBA: Paul Lee the closer as Magnolia downs SMB, boosts Top 2 bid

Victolero said that the crowd will play a big factor in the upcoming Clasico, which is the first Christmas game between the league’s most popular teams in four years, or since their 2017 Philippine Cup duel at the Philippine Arena.

2021-pba-philippine-cup-ginebra-vs-magnolia-paul-lee-2 Victolero excited as fans return in new Clasico chapter Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

Photo by PBA Images

“Malaking factor yung crowd because during the bubble, dalawang bubble na ‘yan, so medyo… Siyempre it’s a Clasico ,pero ‘yung hype nung game, ‘di ganun because walang crowd,” he offered.

“But now, the crowd is back.”

As excited as they feel, however, Victolero said that keeping his wards grounded and focused for the match – a match between the current second-placers in the standings; they both carry 2-0 cards – is of the highest imperative.

“We’ll just try to eliminate the distraction as much as possible. There’s a lot of distractions because it’s a Christmas Day game. If we can do that we have a good focus sa game,” said the champion bench tactician.

“We just want to prepare for this game just like the other games, but I don’t need to motivate my players in the kind of game, in the Clasico. Because the hype, the fans, will motivate the players. Hopefully, we can execute, prepare well.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Meralco put on a defensive clinic to shackle the depleted Magnolia by way of a 74-51 result and keep its quarterfinal aspirations very much...

Basketball

San Miguel inched closer to clinching a twice-to-beat quarterfinal incentive following a 98-91 victory over Magnolia to stay perfect in the PBA Season 48...

Basketball

Magnolia extinguished one of the hottest streaks in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup following a 108-102 win over Rain or Shine in a...

Basketball

Paul Lee inched closer to achieving another personal milestone as Magnolia got past the hungry Blackwater, 81-77, for their third straight win in the...

Basketball

Jerrick Balanza’s only concern is finding his place in Magnolia after playing his first game with the perennial contenders on Sunday. The 27-year-old winger...

Basketball

Magnolia regained its identity in the second half and turned back the upset-seeking Phoenix, 107-93, to register back-to-back wins for the first time in...

Basketball

Jerrick Balanza’s reunion with Aldin Ayo has come to an unexpected end after just 15 months. The seasoned forward has bid farewell to Converge,...

Basketball

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero is glad to have Calvin Abueva back in the fold after missing his services due to a PBA-imposed one-game...

Advertisement