Victolero still optimistic as Magnolia defense slows down San Miguel in Game 4

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Despite Magnolia’s disheartening 80-84 Game 4 defeat to San Miguel in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, coach Chito Victolero remains upbeat with his team’s chances, especially with how it performed Wednesday night.

“I think that was our best game in the series,” he said. “We need to play our game which is the defensive game. I’m happy that we’re able to limit them to 84 points, stayed in the game, and gave ourselves a chance to win.”

As tough as the Hotshots’ stand was, the breaks of the game did not go their way.

That, though, makes Victolero more optimistic heading into Magnolia’s do-or-die Game 5 on Friday as the loss gave him a glimpse on how the game will bog down if his side controlled the tempo.

“It was a defensive game and it’s our game. If they score 100 points, that’s their game. We cannot dominate San Miguel with their firepower. But at least, we were there in the game,” he said.

“We had a good execution in the end, found Aldrech (Ramos) for the open shot, but he just missed that. Had we gotten that, we could have tied the series. Again, breaks of the game.”

While it’s a tall task to overcome a 1-3 deficit against San Miguel, Victolero isn’t losing hope as he plans to throw everything at San Miguel come Friday.

“We’re trying to find ways on how to win and I think with the effort, the energy, the desire of the players, I can’t ask for anything more,” he said.

“We won’t stop. To win a championship, they need four wins and they still need to win on Friday. The series isn’t over yet. We’ll just try to live another day. I’m still positive. Nothing impossible.”