English
It was hot in Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo. Magnolia trainer Chito Victolero conveyed concern now about his team ‘s scheduling system just after they recently lost their second of three games in five days to San Miguel.
Chito Victolero does indeed have a demanding schedule.
Victolero publicly acknowledged that the grueling schedule is actually wearing on the team, but then again, he truly believes the Hotshots will indeed be able to survive when they face Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Magnolia successfully vanquished NorthPort, 80 to 77, on Wednesday first before completely falling to San Miguel, 87 to 81, on Friday at the Ynares Center to fall to 1 to 3.
The Hotshots have already been starting to play without Paul Lee, who has been out due to a recurring back spasm. Rafi Reavis was also being ruled out due to diarrhea, while Mark Barroca played despite apparently a calf injury.
“The injuries kasi kasama ‘yan,” [ “The injuries are included” ] Victolero mentioned. “But you know, I’m very concerned about the schedule. I’m very concerned about the game. We have only one game to recover.”
“We played the best teams in the last five days. We played NorthPort which was on top of the standings and then we played San Miguel today. And we play against Ginebra on Sunday. I don’t know what happened to the schedule. It’s a very bad schedule. It happened to us,” Victolero added.
Magnolia’s coach emphasized too that the team would really strive to adequately prepare as best as can on Saturday before potentially facing Ginebra, a team playing which is also undefeated just after two matches.
“We just try to dig deep and hopefully, we can recover before Sunday para may legs kami,”
[ “We just try to dig deep and hopefully, we can recover before Sunday, so we can have legs,”]
Victolero simply added.
“Kailangan talaga namin recover and rest. We play three games in five days. It’s very hard for everyone, not only for the players but also for the coaches. Hopefully, we can survive. We have to find ways on how to win on Sunday even if we have a deadly schedule,” [ We really need to recover and rest. We play three games in five days. It’s very hard for everyone, not only for the players but also for the coaches. Hopefully, we can survive. We have to find ways on how to win on Sunday even if we have a deadly schedule,”] Victolero said.
Gilas defeats the tough and strong Tall Blacks
MANILA, Philippines – GILAS Pilipinas extended its undefeated record in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifications Thursday night by finally breaking through against New Zealand, 93-89.
