Victolero takes blame for Game 4 loss after losing cool

Star Hotshots coach Chito Victolero. PBA IMAGES

Star head coach Chito Victolero thinks he has to do a better job in keeping his emotions in check.

Victolero was visibly upset after the referees missed a traveling violation on Ginebra big man Dave Marcelo that led to a basket by Kevin Ferrer early in the fourth quarter. He also got called for a technical foul for crossing the hash line.

“I think it’s my fault and I told that to my players,” said Victolero when asked if the frustrations are rubbing off on his players. “It starts with me so it’s my fault. We lost this game because of me.”

READ: Ginebra frustrates Star to knot series

The Hotshots have now lost two in a row after winning eight straight including the first two games of the best-of-seven semifinals series.

Victolero feels now is the time for Star to lean more on one another with the pivotal Game 5 set on Friday night.

“We need to stay together and stay positive. Experience-wise, the players already know what they have to do,” he said. “This conference we’ve experienced a lot of [character-building moments] and we need to keep building our character during these situations so it’s not easy.”

“At the start, I know that it’s not going to be easy because we’re playing Ginebra. It now boils down to a best-of-three and I’m very happy it’s still, 2-2.”

READ: Desire to win drives Cruz to season best

Victolero, however, kept his lips sealed when asked to comment about the huge discrepancy on fouls called. The Hotshots were whistled for 36 fouls as compared to the Gin Kings’ 18.

As a result, Ginebra attempted 23 more free throws than Star, which went 9/10.

“You saw what happened. And the PBA also saw it. I mean, I don’t have anything to say to the referees. It’s just that my emotions went up. And you know, it’s up to them. And to those who saw the game, it’s also up to you what you think about the game,” Victolero said in Filipino.

But more than his frustrations, Victolero said he also needs to make the right adjustments to counter what his counterpart Tim Cone and Ginebra have been doing the past two games.

“I think I learned a lot from this game. I need to adjust. I need to focus on the game. Coach Tim did a good job with our defense.”