‘Kung hindi dahil kay Aris, siguro wala na.’
Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said as much, and that couldn’t ring any truer. Aris Dionisio made the biggest shot of the game, enabling Magnolia to outlast NLEX in an epic 2021 Honda PBA Philippine Cup duel, Wednesday.
The Hotshots were facing the jaws of defeat late in overtime with the Road Warriors ahead, 104-101. But the second-year forward came up clutch and sank a three-pointer to tie it up with 2,4 seconds on the clock.
He was even fouled by JR Quinahan upon firing the long bomb. He, however, failed to complete the rare four-point play, but that was enough to give his side another chance as it pushed the match to another extra period.
From there, Ian Sangalang took over, and Magnolia went on to earn the 112-105 victory. They completed the comeback from as much as 16 points down in the fourth quarter to return to their winning ways.
“Thanks to Aris,” expressed Victolero.
Dionisio finished with 11 points as he went 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. That outside shot is part of his adjustment in playing the three-spot more often. And Victolero feels happy about this since it greatly helped in the victory.
“Before, talagang nasa four-spot siya eh, just like Calvin [Abueva]. So meron kaming adjustment na ganun. Unti-unti at least nakukuha niya,” said the 2018 Coach of the Year. “He spreads the floor.”
The St. Clare product also collected five rebounds in the 19 minutes and 22 seconds he played. It is the most he been on the court this conference; before, he only logged in an average of a little over nine minutes prior to Wednesday.
Victolero knew Dionisio would come in ready whenever called.
“Si Aris kasi, laging ready naman ‘yan,” said the champion bench tactician, who selected the former NAASCU MVP with the ninth pick in the 2019 Rookie Draft.
“It’s not about the minutes. It’s about how we help each other.”
