Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—It took almost two decades for the pair of Chito Victolero and Rafi Reavis to follow up their last title in 2000, so long in fact that one of them had a change of career.
Victolero and Reavis were once teammates in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association under the San Juan Knights franchise and 18 years later, the player-coach tandem celebrated Magnolia’s 2018 PBA Governors’ championship after its 102-86 Game 6 win over Alaska at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The 43-year-old Victolero was one of the youngest head coaches to win a title while the inverse can be said for Reavis, who at 41 was one of the oldest players to win a championship, his 11th in the league.
Reavis said he couldn’t fully explain the feeling of winning a title and playing for his former teammate.
“That’s something and that’s so foreign, I don’t know any other words to describe it,” said Reavis. “Our first was 18 years ago and that was when we were teammates and now we won with him being my coach.”
“Winning under him is just awesome. Words can’t describe it. He’s a great coach but he’s a great person first and foremost.”
Victolero arrived in the Magnolia franchise before the start of the 2016-17 PBA season and he led the team to three straight semifinals in his first year with the Hotshots.
The Hotshots got to their first finals in the Victolero leadership in this season’s Philippine Cup but they lost to San Miguel in five games.
Magnolia eventually broke its four-year title drought in the season’s final game with Victolero stamping his legacy in the franchise, whose last title was the 2014 Governors’ Cup and was part of the coveted Grand Slam.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to win with him,” said Reavis. “I’m just so happy to be with him.”