Magnolia arrests alarming slide, dumps Phoenix with help of new import

Chito Victolero didn’t seem too far off when asked why Magnolia finally won its first Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor’s Cup.

“This guy,” Victolero said, pointing to new import Antonio Hester, whose performance in Friday’s 108-95 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters gave the Hotshots new energy.

Hester’s 28 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals at the Mall of Asia Arena gave the initial seeds for Magnolia’s potential turnaround after an unusual 0-3 start in the conference last season.

Barangay Ginebra stayed clean after leading NorthPort, 115-100, in the second game.

Justin Brownlee had 22 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the Gin Kings, who improved to 3-0 while the Batang Pier dropped to 0-5.

Victolero has talked a lot about how Hester changed the look of Magnolia after struggling with original import Eric McCree. Ian Sangalang did not help his cold start due to illness.

“There’s a lot of room for the guards to maneuver and make things,” Victolero said. “He draws a lot of defense, so the guards now have an option to take it or make it.

The league is back

“They also increased the number of assists because a lot of passes happened on the court. But the most important thing is that we improved our defense and rebounding,” he said after handing the Fuel Masters their fifth loss in six games.

Victolero and his staff feel Hester is the right person for them, given his recent appearance for Zamboanga Valientes in the Asean Basketball League and his previous PBA experience, having played with Terrafirma Dyip in the Governor’s Cup last season.

Price might be the word that can explain Hester’s description of her reaction when she got the call from Magnolia management.

“When I got the call that I was coming to Magnolia, I was excited because of the type of shooters we have on this team,” Hester said. “I am the first person, knowing this team, I am very excited.

“I’m just ready to help them as much as I can and do what I do best,” added the Hotshots booster, who is nicknamed “Big Hes.”

Momentum

Now in a talented team, Hester hopes to continue the momentum of Magnolia, especially on Sunday with a crucial battle with Barangay Ginebra that can determine whether climbing out of the cellar is achievable.

Magnolia’s three losses have come against teams with winning records, namely Converge (4-1), TNT (4-1) and San Miguel Beer (5-0), and Victolero is hoping that the trend will end again. “Manila Clasico.”

“We faced elite teams in the first three games, and it wasn’t easy,” Victolero said. “The good thing is that our opponents didn’t dominate us. We had a chance to win the game, just the break didn’t run.

“And that’s the positive thing I told the players that there is a 50-50 chance against an elite team. Now we are again facing a champion team in Ginebra, there is also an equal chance.

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