During his short four year PBA career, Chito Victolero was never an All-Star; he did not even participate in the side events that come with it. But after 12 years of being a cager, he has finally gotten a chance to experience the annual celebration, as he is set to steer the Mindanao All-Stars in the first leg of the 2017 PBA All-Star Week in Cagayan de Oro.
And even at the age of 41, the Star Hotshots mentor cannot help but be excited to finally see first-hand what the All-Star experience is all about.
“Very happy kasi first time ko as a coach and first time ko rin. Noong player ako, ‘di ko na-experience ang All-Star,” shared Victolero.
“I’m excited, pati mga kasama kong players. Excited kami.”
The Mindanao squad that will go head-to-head with Gilas tomorrow is a guard-heavy unit, with the likes of Jio Jalalon, Mark Barroca, Scottie Thompson, Carlo Lastimosa, Cyrus Baguio, PJ Simon, and Baser Amer.
“Puro guards. May security agency ata kami eh,” said Victolero in jest.
“Even my starters are all guards. Siguro tignan natin kung paano natin sila ma-utilize at ma-maximize yung talents ng team namin.”
Completing the selection are big men Mo Tautuaa, Troy Rosario, Rafi Reavis, Sonny Thoss, and Glenn Khobuntin to address the guard-laden team’s needs on the frontline.
“Sana maging maganda ang chemistry ng team na yun,” Victolero admitted.
But aside from hoping that the Mindanao All-Stars jive in nicely with each other, Victolero is not forgetting the game’s main objective: to help Gilas prepare for the upcoming SEABA Championships.
Victolero and his wards will face a Gilas side composed of June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, Mike Tolomia, RR Pogoy, Carl Cruz, Kevin Ferrer, LA Revilla, Alfonso Gotladera, Bradwyn Guinto, and Matthew Wright at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan De Oro City at 7:30 in the evening.
“Mage-enjoy kami doon at kailangan namin bigyan ng magandang laban ang Gilas para matulungan din namin sila,” Victolero added.
