Magnolia Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero remains optimistic as his team gears up for a high-stakes knockout game against NLEX on Sunday, with the final quarterfinal spot and a matchup against top-seeded NorthPort on the line.
Victolero is banking on the team’s recent momentum, having secured three straight wins to close out the elimination round. “I think the boys are playing well right now. Our character really shows in these do-or-die games,” Victolero said following their Friday victory over Meralco.
Despite a rocky start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup—losing six of their first nine games—Magnolia turned things around with crucial wins against Phoenix, Eastern, and the Bolts. Now, they’re looking to extend their playoff streak, which is the second longest in the league behind Barangay Ginebra, with appearances in the last 18 conferences.
Victolero emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation, noting the tight schedule. “We’ll discuss the game plan tomorrow, but what’s key now is my players’ recovery. We only have one day to prepare, but we’re ready to fight,” he added.
Drawing from past experiences, Victolero reminded his team of their playoff history: “We’ve been in this situation before. We’ve made mistakes against teams like Converge and Ginebra, and we can’t let that happen again.”
Magnolia will need to maintain their focus against an equally determined NLEX squad to keep their playoff hopes alive.