Hotshots declare they’re playoff-ready after ripping Bossing

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Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva led Magnolia on a career night. – PBA PICTURES

Coach Chito Victolero believes Magnolia has the ability to make a deep playoff run in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup even though the chance to win twice to beat it is not in his team’s hands.

“I’m ready for the playoffs,” Victolero said after Magnolia beat Blackwater 110-95 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. “I don’t know where we’ll end up. But as long as we have the chance, we’ll take it.

His form since the arrival of import Antonio Hester and inspired play from locals, including Calvin Abueva, allowed Magnolia to overcome an 0-3 start and enter the quarterfinals with a 7-4 record.

But the possibility of a quarterfinal bonus can be known after the Barangay Ginebra-Terrafirma tiff at press time.

The calculations made by The Inquirer have put the Hotshots out of the top four and in the second scenario to win if the Gin Kings score the desired victory in Dyip and get the required bonus.

Even without the incentive, the team could be in a tough spot if locked in with Magnolia in the playoffs.

Hester’s presence in the paint has created problems for the opposition, and it is evidence against Blackwater with 22 points and 20 rebounds.

Reliable stars like Mark Barroca and Paul Lee continue to put up consistent numbers, Jio Jalalon has been a source of energy on both sides while Russel Escoto, who has 17 points, and Aris Dionisio fill the void of the ill Ian Sangalang.

5,000-point club

Putting up the numbers quietly was Abueva, who was hailed as the TV Panel’s Player of the Game after a 27-point performance allowed him to become the 96th member of the 5,000-point club. He also grabbed 13 rebounds.

But Magnolia came from the wake-up call needed after stealing the game from Terrafirma last Saturday by forcing overtime and winning, 121-115, despite trailing by 15 with four minutes to go in regulation.

“We can’t be too confident when we play against a weaker team or a team at the bottom of the standings because it can slip out of our hands,” Abueva said in Filipino. “We were given a hard time by Terrafirma and it took some time to understand what was going on.”

“This time, we made sure we could execute and play better defense against this Blackwater team,” he added.

Blackwater exited the conference and Season 47 with a dreadful 1-10 record after a nine-game skid.

Bossing has lost 24 of 28 games since starting the 2022-23 campaign with a 5-1 record in the Philippine Cup.

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