MAGNOLIA is sticking to the positives following its runner-up finish in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
The Hotshots want to carry over all the positives they learned from finally getting back to the finals as they prepare for the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
While the team is still in the process of healing its wounds after bowing to four-peat All-Filipino champion San Miguel Beer in the finals, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is positive that his wards can learn and improve after falling short.
“We’re still getting over the finals loss to San Miguel but there are a lot of things to be proud of that we can bring to the next conference,” said Victolero, who now has a finals appearance under his belt.
Looking back, Victolero is proud that his team progressed and got over the hump by getting to the championship playoff in the season-opening Philippine Cup.
“Getting to the finals after just making the semis last season is already an accomplishment and a good start for us this season. Hopefully we can continue to progress.”
As for Magnolia’s incoming returning import Vernon Macklin, Victolero is high on what he can bring to the table.
“Without Ping (Marc Pingris), Macklin can come in and help us in the middle. He can do a lot of things,” said Victolero.
Macklin led his former team Barangay Ginebra to a finals stint back in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup in his first tour of duty in the league.
With the team finally getting a finals experience, Magnolia is certainly hopeful that it can further improve for the rest of the season.
