Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia may have opened its PBA Commissioners’ Cup campaign on a high note by beating TNT but coach Chito Victolero believes the Hotshots are still far from where they want to be.
The Hotshots had a hard time putting away the Tropang Giga and Victolero feels that was due to the team’s inconsistency.
“We need to be consistent especially in the first half, we were leading the game but there were times when we relaxed. That’s the time that they (TNT) rallied,” said Victolero after the 110-102 victory at Araneta Coliseum.
“We need effort to stick in the game. This guy (Tyler Bey) was banged up the whole game but he kept playing hard.”
Import Tyler Bey had a solid debut for the Hotshots with 31 points, 20 rebounds and three steals.
Magnolia import Tyler Bey.–PBA IMAGES
Magnolia also nearly had as many assists (18) as turnovers (20).
Fortunately for the Hotshots, their aggressiveness was rewarded with trips to the free throw line, and cashed in by making 21 out of their 25 attempts. 21-of-25. They shot 19 more free throws than the Tropang Giga, who jacked up 47 3-pointers and made 15.
Magnolia picked up where it left off after coming off an 11-game sweep of the PBA On Tour but Victolero said their undefeated record in the preseason doesn’t matter anymore with the Hotshots starting from scratch.
“They played hard but we start again now. [That] 11-0 is done, that’s the past and we need to stay in the present. We’ll look at this conference with commitment and that’s the goal for us.”
Magnolia faces Phoenix on Sunday at Ynares Center, Antipolo.