There is no finger-pointing within Magnolia.
Head coach Chito Victolero emphasized that when asked if he spoke with Calvin Abueva, in particular, following the Hotshots’ collapse versus Meralco last Wednesday. That led to their first loss in the 2021 Honda PBA Philippine Cup.
“Wala. Walang [pag-]point [ng] fingers sa amin,” he said.
The ‘Beast’ committed a miscue with just 1:25 remaining in the game. He was called for an offensive interference when he hung on the net following the basket of teammate Ian Sangalang.
Had he not made that, Magnolia could’ve been up by 12.
That then proved to be the beginning of the end for them. The Bolts got going, and Chris Newsome eventually sank the game-winner at the buzzer. He completed his side’s comeback from 13 down inside the last two minutes.
But then again, no one’s to blame for that defeat but the coaches, Victolero said: “I take it as a coach. I take that responsibility. It’s my fault. Sinabi ko sa kanila na kasalanan ko yun, kasalanan ng coaching staff kung bakit kami natalo.”
And as the adage goes, there’s no reason to cry over spilled milk. And that’s exactly what the Hotshots did, bouncing back with a 94-78 beatdown of the Blackwater Bossing, Friday at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor.
Abueva himself played a key role in the victory, finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals. It was the 33-year-old forward’s third double-double performance at this conference.
Victolero said that it helps to have a veteran-laden team that knows how to handle losses. And they obviously showed it on their way to collecting their fifth victory in six games to remain at third in the team standings.
“Ang maganda lang sa mga players ko kasi it’s a very team of veteran players, they can easily move forward eh. They know it’s only one game,” he said.
“We have more games to prepare and this game is very important for us.”
