Magnolia deals TNT payback for all-Filipino finals heartbreak

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero doesn’t draw back from admitting the Hotshots needed vengeance after they have been overwhelmed by TNT for the Philippine Cup crown earlier this season

MANILA, Philippines – Payback time.

Magnolia lastly received again at TNT with a gritty 96-93 win within the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday, February 11, in a rematch of the earlier Philippine Cup finals.

Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero didn’t draw back from admitting they needed vengeance after they have been overwhelmed in 5 video games by the Tropang Giga for the all-Filipino crown earlier this season.

“It was considered one of our motivations, that they beat us within the finals,” Victolero stated in a mixture of Filipino and English. “I instructed them to make use of it as one of many motivations.”

Not solely did Magnolia actual revenge, it additionally stayed unbeaten in 4 video games to say the solo lead within the standings.

Alternatively, TNT fell to 2-3, a far cry from its dominant Philippine Cup marketing campaign the place it gained 19 of its 24 matches and compiled a powerful 10-1 report on the finish of the elimination spherical.

The win, although, didn’t come with out a main scare because the Hotshots noticed their 19-point lead vanish to skinny air, with the Tropang Giga nearly stealing the victory if not for a few endgame errors.

“I instructed them at first of the sport that we can’t anticipate the outcome immediately. We have to put together possession by possession,” Victolero stated.

Thankfully for Magnolia, Paul Lee and Mark Barroca hit the marginal free throws, whereas import Mike Harris delivered from begin to end, chalking up game-highs of 41 factors and 18 rebounds.

“Good factor is the gamers stepped up, they dedicated on each single possession, on our execution, on our protection. I’m very pleased and pleased with these guys.”

Up subsequent for the Hotshots is NLEX, which is coming off back-to-back losses, on Wednesday, February 16. – Rappler.com