Paul Lee (right) tries to loop in a short jumper off Mike Watkins early in the KO game between Magnolia and NLEX at press time. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Chito Victolero acknowledged that Magnolia will come in as the underdog against top seed NorthPort after the Hotshots scratched their way to claim the last quarterfinals berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But Victolero also feels that winning twice over the Cinderella team of the elimination phase is doable considering how they were able to hurdle so many obstacles to get to that matchup.
Article continues after this advertisement
“I like our chances,” he said after the Hotshots’ 112-91 win over the NLEX Road Warriors in Sunday’s playoff for the No. 8 seed at Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Sunday night. “We’re playing well on both ends of the floor and we are all healthy.
“That’s why I’m very confident, although we are in a situation of needing to win another do-or-die game,” he added.
Magnolia has now won its last four games, which were, for all intents and purposes, KO matches. The mastery of NLEX had the Hotshots going on a second-half surge while limiting Road Warriors’ reliable import Mike Watkins to just 10 points.
Article continues after this advertisement
NorthPort topped the eliminations with a 9-3 record behind import Kadeem Jack and the duo of Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon, whose performances are worthy of being considered as Best Player of the Conference candidates.
One of the Batang Pier’s victories came at the expense of the Hotshots, 107-103, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium when Munzon came through with dagger shots from the outside.
The two teams square off on Thursday at the same venue, with NorthPort needing to win just once to progress. Magnolia, however, feels that all the things that his charges went through have toughened the Hotshots up a great deal.
“I believe in the character of everybody here,” Victolero declared. “This is the time of the conference that we need to have each other’s backs. In this situation, I want the guys that have the experience and the character to battle and go to war.
“The players deserve to be in the quarterfinals.”
Import Ricardo Ratliffe came through again for the Hotshots with 32 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while contribution from the locals was spread out well with Zavier Lucero, Calvin Abueva and Rome dela Rosa stepping up.
50 Greatest committee
NLEX was handed an early vacation, as its own uprising from a similar 3-6 record like Magnolia came to a screeching halt. Robert Bolick finished with 27 points to lead the Road Warriors.
The quarters start on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the best-of-three openers of the Rain or Shine-Converge and Meralco-Barangay Ginebra series at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.
Thursday’s other twice-to-beat matchup has TNT and guest team Hong Kong Eastern at 5 p.m. before the NorthPort-Magnolia face-off. If needed, the do-or-die game is on Saturday at Ninoy.
Game 2 of the best-of-three quarters will be on Friday at Ninoy with Game 3, if necessary, set for Sunday at Ynares.
Meanwhile, the league is in the process of forming a committee that will name the 10 players to make up the 50 Greatest list to highlight the league’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
“We’re eyeing the inclusion of former players, coaches, officials and veteran media men to the committee,” said Marcial, who kept the identities of the personalities under wraps for the meantime. INQ
