Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero described the trade between the Hotshots and Phoenix Super LPG on Wednesday as a ‘win-win situation,’ believing that it will help both ball clubs address what they have been needing.
That deal saw the Fuel Masters send star forward Calvin Abueva and their no. 10 pick in the upcoming Rookie Draft in exchange for floor general Chris Banchero and the sixth and 18th picks for the March 14 proceedings.
“It’s a win-win situation for both eh. I think kami kailangan namin yung caliber ni Calvin, yung position niya. And then I think si Coach Topex, kailangan niya rin yung ganung posisyon which is kulang niya.
“‘Yun nga, win-win, kasi both teams maggi-improve dun sa nangyaring trade,” added the 2018 Coach of the Year. “So, Calvin would play multiple positions for us, and Chris can also play the two-guard sa kanila,” Victolero told Tiebreaker Times.
It was tough to see Banchero go but Victolero is nonetheless excited to work with Abueva, who impressed a lot in the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble considering that he was coming off a 16-month suspension.
And among those left in awe was Victolero himself, as he saw the 33-year-old lead Phoenix to its second semis and vie for the Best Player of the Conference award with norms of 15.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.7 steals.
“Nakita naman natin sa bubble pagbalik niya kung gaano nag-improve yung laro niya, yung kanyang tinatakbo. Hindi na natin nakikita yung dating ginagawa niya. ‘Yung pag-focus niya sa laro ang laki ng natulong sa kanya.
“Hindi natin ine-expect na ganun talaga kasi candidate pa siya for the Best Player of the Conference. Sobrang grabe. After 16 months na layoff niya ganun kaagad. Ibang klase yung motor niya, ibang klase yung talent,” he said.
Still, Victolero was quick to remind that Abueva is still a piece of the puzzle, that the success they aim for will only be attained if each and every one on the roster is all on the same page working together.
“Sinasabi ko nga sa mga players ko na Calvin is not the only player, of course it’s team play. It’s about chemistry,” said the cager-turned-mentor, who steered the Hotshots to the 2018 Governors’ Cup title.
“Fifteen players pa rin yung kailangan magtulong-tulong. Calvin is a big addition for us but not necessarily gagawin niya yung lahat ng dapat gawin. He will do his role and then other players will do their roles.”
