By Jerome Lagunzad
Game Sunday
(Smart-Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Opening Ceremonies
6:45 p.m. — San Miguel vs Phoenix
Magnolia won’t be at full strength when the Hotshots open their PBA Philippine Cup title campaign against the Alaska Aces next week, with top guards Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon still recovering from their respective knee injuries.
But Magnolia coach Chito Victolero remains upbeat that veterans PJ Simon, Mark Barroca, Justin Melton and third-string guard Mon Abundo have what it takes to help fill up the gap for the meantime.
“Yung mga players, alam nila ‘yung current situation of Paul and Jio. Maganda naman ‘yung response nila in terms of their (collective) mindset and preparations in our practices and tuneup games,” said Victolero in a phone interview yesterday, moments after wrapping up the Hotshots’ practice at Ronac gym in San Juan City.
The 6-foot-1 Lee, however, continues to make a sustained progress after going under the knife for his nagging left knee while the 5-foot-9 Jalalon is still recuperating from a lateral collateral ligament which forced him to miss Gilas Pilipinas’ first two matches in the Asian qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup.
But Victolero admitted he’s in no rush to have his ace guards back, saying: “Ang gusto lang talaga namin, ‘yung injuries nila, mag-heal talaga at maging healthy sila bago ko sila palaruin.
“Si Paul, ngayon week pa lang namin siya inaasahan makabalik sa practice. But we will not force him hanggat wala pang go-signal mula du’n sa doctor niya. Gusto namin completely healed na siya from his injury para maging malakas ‘yung tuhod niya for this season,” he added.
The absence of Lee and Jalalon could also open up more opportunities for incoming freshman Robbie Herndon, whom the Hotshots acquired from the GlobalPort Batang Pier on the Draft Day deal last October.
“We don’t expect too much from him like he’s a super rookie. But we’re expecting him to contribute,” he said of the former San Francisco State standout, the sixth overall selection.
“I don’t want to pressure him. Sabi ko lang sa kanya, ‘Make sure lang na makasabay ka sa system natin. We put premium on team effort and chemistry.’ Kailangan lang niya makibagay. I think he’s ready for the big league. Makakatulong talaga siya sa amin.”
After making a commendable job for steering the Hotshots to three consecutive semifinal trips last season, Victolero said their collective goal remains the same. But that doesn’t mean he’s eager to look that far ahead.
“We just try to take it one game at a time. Laging ganun naman,” he said. “Siyempre ang bigger picture, ‘yung championship. Every team naman, ‘yun rin ang (ultimate) goal.
“But kailangan namin mag-focus muna, one game at a time. Kung iisipin namin na andu’n na agad kami (in semis), baka hindi kami mag-trabaho ng husto. Halos lahat ng teams lumakas kaya hindi namin pwedeng balewalain kahit sinong team.
Ang importante sa ngayon, andun ‘yung focus ng bawat isa.”
