by Waylon Galvez
Game Today (Ynares Center, Antipolo City)
6:30 p.m. – Alaska vs Magnolia
Victolero urged his players to remain sharp ahead of the 6:30 p.m. clash after the Hotshots claimed Friday’s Game 2, 77-71, behind a defense that forced the Aces commit mistakes in the dying minutes.
“We don’t think that we’re up or we’re down,” Victolero said. “The important thing is that we have the proper mindset and that we are on the same page.
“There’s no reason for us to celebrate. This is a best-of-seven series and it’s not yet over,” added Victolero, who is two wins shy of claiming his first championship as a coach.
Aces counterpart Alex Compton is also singing the same tune despite seeing his players waste a golden chance of splitting the first two games of the title showdown.
But Compton said that lesser turnovers will benefit Alaska’s chances of turning things around after committing a total of 51 in the first two games.
“That’s the prime story of the first two games. We just gotta be better,” said Compton.
Victolero is cautious of its two-game advantage, especially after blowing the same lead in last year’s Philippine Cup semifinal series against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
The Hotshots took the first two games but allowed the Kings to charge back and win the series in seven.
“We experienced that before in the Philippine Cup,” said Victolero. “We have to learn from that experience, and we’re taking it one game at a time.”
Spotlight will be on Magnolia sophomore Jio Jalalon, who heroics has enabled the Hotshots to move closer toward their first PBA championship since completing a Grand Slam in 2014.
Jalalon bucked a sluggish Game 2 to score a go-ahead jumper that put Magnolia ahead 73-71 with 2:40 remaining before conspiring with his teammates to seal the victory in the ugliest of ways as Alaska failed to score the rest of the way.
The Aces, on the other hand, lamented on their failure to score in the game’s final 4:55.
Alaska import Mike Harris, however, believes a victory will change the complexion of the series.
“All we need to do is win one. (That) changes the whole thing,” said Harris.
