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Coming off two straight defeats and suddenly in danger of falling out of the top half of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoff field, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero wants his Hotshots to return to their roots and arrest the skid.
Their defensive roots, that is.
“We need to bring back our defense,” Victolero said on the eve of a critical clash with Rain or Shine on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. “We played poor defense in our last two games.”
Magnolia direly needs to win the 4:30 p.m. clash with the Elasto Painters to formally advance to the quarterfinals, and compounding matters for the Hotshots is that they will be facing a Rain or Shine team that will be parading a new import in Carl Montgomery.
Denzel Bowles had to be replaced after being injured in an 86-84 Rain or Shine win over Alaska last week, and this development could work both ways for the Painters since Victolero and his staff know very little of how Montgomery plays.
This game is also important for the Painters as they are still two victories away from making the playoffs outright.
Meanwhile, powerhouse San Miguel Beer battles Phoenix Pulse in the 7 p.m. game, with the Beermen shooting to win a second straight game and put away the second of four consecutive wins they need to march on without any complications.
Chris McCollough plays a second game for the Beermen, and, after having shaken off jetlag, is expected to be better after shooting 47 points in his debut last Friday.
The Fuel Masters are also at 4-5 like Rain or Shine and also needs to win this match against the Beermen.