Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Victolero proud that Rome Dela Rosa has become an offensive cog as well


As usual, Rome Dela Rosa came up big on the defensive end late in Magnolia’s 2021 PBA Philippine Cup duel with Alaska, Wednesday night.

The 6-foot-3 winger helped out in defending Yousef Taha, preventing the 6-foot-9 bruiser from carving space against Ian Sangalang and Rafi Reavis. He snatched the ball before calling for time to secure the possession for his side.

That stop with 20.6 seconds left in the game gave the Hotshots an opportunity to break the tie and win it. That’s exactly what they did. Ian Sangalang turned Paul Lee’s nifty find to a bucket at the buzzer for the 84-82 triumph.

Head coach Chito Victolero couldn’t feel more proud of the effort his wards showed, especially Dela Rosa’s. But it wasn’t just his crucial defensive play that made the champion mentor rave about the seven-year pro.

“I’m very happy with Rome,” he said. “‘Yun talaga tinrabaho namin noong off-season eh, ‘yung kanyang offense.

“Kasi sa depensa, wala naman kaming problema kay Rome. He can defend anybody sa anumang posisyon”

Dela Rosa also proved that he can contribute well on offense. He finished with 12 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.

His last three-pointer came in the fourth quarter, which broke a 70-all deadlock. It started a 10-2 run that gave Magnolia an eight-point advantage with 4:19 left to play. It then staved off the Aces’ furious fightback.

The second-generation cager hiked his production from the first game, where he only had six in their 80-73 win over Phoenix last Saturday.

#ReadMore  With Almazan, Black confident Meralco can match-up with anyone

Victolero said that the Hotshots put a premium on Dela Rosa’s offense during the offseason. Hence, the elation to see him reap the benefits of his hard work.

“But ‘yung offense niya, ‘yun ang tinrabaho namin in the offseason. And ngayon lumalabas,” the one-time Coach of the Year added.

“I’m very happy because ‘yung kumpiyansa niya andyan na, so tuloy-tuloy lang siguro.”

Written By

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


You May Also Like

Basketball

Kelly Williams came through in dire straits as TNT escaped Magnolia, 80-79, to overcome a twice-to-win disadvantage and advance to the PBA Season 49...

Basketball

Roger Pogoy took the lead and the others followed as TNT kept its Grand Slam bid very much alive by disabling Magnolia’s win-once bonus,...

Basketball

Zavier Lucero and Magnolia held off a late rally by TNT to escape with an 88-83 victory and secure the second twice-to-beat advantage in...

Basketball

Robert Bolick and Xyrus Torres led a furious comeback for NLEX, rallying from a 19-point deficit to hand Magnolia another tough loss, 107-99, and...

Basketball

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is positive that William Navarro will soon get the hang of playing within his new reality, being with a perennial...

Basketball

Ginebra came from behind to beat Magnolia, 85-81, in another thrilling Manila Clasico showdown to throw itself into the Top Four race in the...

Basketball

Paul Lee powered the decisive fourth-quarter assault Magnolia rode toward the 106-97 come-from-behind win against NorthPort to become the first to clinch a quarterfinal...

Basketball

Rain or Shine dealt Magnolia its first loss of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup following a 119-105 statement win at the Ynares Center...

Advertisement