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Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero likes their playoffs chances
The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshot won their past four games to survive elimination and entered the playoffs for the 19th straight conference already.
Magnolia was on the brink of being ousted in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup when their record went down to 3-6, but they peaked at the right time and clinched a quarterfinals berth after dismantling the NLEX Road Warriors in their do-or-die game.
Now, the Hotshots are facing another tough challenge as they have a twice-to-win disadvantage against the league-leading NorthPort Batang Pier, who defeated them, 103-107, during their lone game in the preliminaries.
But Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero likes their chances against NP as they are now parading a healthy line-up.
"We're the underdog in this series. We're down in this series 0-1. So it's another do-or-die situation for us," said Victolero. "But I like our chances."
"We're playing well on both ends of the floor. And pinaka-gusto ko lang is we're all healthy. I think this is the only second or third game (against NLEX) where we are fully healthy, lahat ng mga players," the Hotshots coach added.
"Hopefully we can battle with the No. 1 team and give them a good fight," he ended.
Photo Courtesy: PBA
"We're the underdog in this series. We're down in this series 0-1. So it's another do-or-die situation for us," said Victolero. "But I like our chances."
The Hotshots might be the underdog in this series but they have veterans who know how to play in big games like this, plus some youngsters who are also gelling well with the team right now.
Magnolia even reached the Finals of the same conference last season but bowed down to the mighty San Miguel Beermen, who are now out of the picture as they were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in a decade.
The match-up between Magnolia and NorthPort will be on Thursday, February 6, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
If the Hotshots win that game, they will force a sudden-death battle on Saturday, but if the Batang Pier wins, Magnolia will be on vacation mode already, while the NorthPort will be going to the semifinal round which they last reached in the 2019 Governors’ Cup.
