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.
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.
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.”
