The Hotshots did a spectacular job on both ends of the floor in their PBA on Tour opener.
Magnolia Hotshots looked like a well-oiled machine when they opened their PBA on Tour campaign with a dominant 117-83 win over Blackwater Bossing on Sunday.
Even in the absence of Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, Jio Jalalon, and Russel Escoto, the Hotshots’ offense was fluid with eight players finishing in double figures.
Jerrick Ahanmisi, Mark Barroca, and Abu Tratter dropped 14 points each. James Laput and Aris Dionisio scored 12 points apiece, while Paul Lee shot three triples on his way to 11 points and 8 rebounds.
Still, there’s still much to be desired as far as chemistry is concerned. And Magnolia, like the rest of the field, is using this to iron out some issues heading into the PBA season.
“Ang goal namin talaga this preseason is ma-improve 'yung chemistry tsaka 'yung mga maliliit na bagay,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero after the match at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila we have to focus on the small details na kailangan namin ma-improve in order for us to go to that next level.”
After all, there are new guys in the fold like Tratter and David Murell, acquired in a multi-player trade with the Converge FiberXers, as well as 3x3 player Joseph Eriobu.
“We need to have more practice tsaka 'yung chemistry pa together with the new guys,” he said.
It didn’t seem like the Hotshots needed that after logging 29 assists in the game where they led by as many as 40 points.
“We’re doing a good job on both ends of the floor and I think we’re trying to build up 'yung mga gusto naming ma-improve. We want to have the proper mindset, ‘yung mga ginagawa sa practice ma-apply namin dito sa mga games,” he said.
(GM)