Perseverance was the name of the game for Magnolia.
That’s what it used to finally get over the hump and end its four-year title drought by capturing the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Wednesday night with a strong finishing statement.
With all the confidence and fluidity, the Hotshots finished off Alaska, 4-2, in their championship showdown to regain their lost glory.
Since its Grandslam run in 2014, Magnolia struggled to get back to the top in the last four years, having a seesaw run that saw it falling short in many occasions.
But by keeping its core, chemistry and foot on the gas pedal, the Hotshots were finally able to reach the mountain top again as the Aces had no answer for most of the series.
Now having the feeling of being a champion coach for the first time, Chito Victolero, who came in last 2016, expressed jubilation.
“Ganito pala ang feeling na mag-champion dito sa PBA,” said Victolero. “Sobrang saya kasi nakakuha rin kami. Pinaghirapan at pinagtiyagaan naman to get this.”
Finals’ Most Valuable Player Mark Barroca emphasized that it took a lot of effort for the Hotshots to get the championship that they’ve long been chasing.
“For us, sobrang nag-effort talaga kami. ‘Yung tiyaga nu’ng team hindi nawala kahit may mga mahirap na napag-daanan kaya masaya talaga na makuha ‘yung championship,” said Barroca.
Magnolia, which captured its 14th overall crown in its rich franchise history, started the tournament at the top before falling to No. 4 in the rankings due to quotient.
However, the Hotshots breezed their way to the championship after eliminating Blackwater, Barangay Ginebra and Alaska in the playoffs in a fairly comfortable manner with Romeo Travis leading the way.
With Magnolia’s title win, all San Miguel Corporation teams had won all the three championships this season with San Miguel taking the Philippine Cup and Barangay Ginebra winning the Commissioner’s.