There is no doubt in Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio’s mind that coach Chito Victolero is the right man for the job for the Magnolia Hotshots.
As far as Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio is concerned, there will be no changes for the Hotshots for the upcoming PBA Philippine Cup.
That includes the coaching staff.
After some fans expressed disappointment over chief tactician Chito Victolero's showing in Magnolia's recent loss to eventual champion San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Patrimonio on Thursday said Victolero is here for the long haul.
“He’ll be a long-term coach with the team,” said the soft-spoken Patrimonio.
[San Miguel breaks Magnolia's heart, hoists 29th PBA crown]
Since joining the Purefoods franchise in 2016, Victolero has steered Magnolia to the 2018 Governors’ Cup championship. The squad made it to the finals twice after that, including the recent one against the Beermen.
Though not as stacked as San Miguel, the Hotshots pushed the Beermen to their limits in their recent titular showdown. They even won back-to-back games to even the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
For Patrimonio, these make Victolero still the right man for the job.
“So far, OK naman ang results ng performance niya as the head coach," the four-time PBA MVP said.
“Together with the assistant coaches, talagang tulung-tulong sila. They love the team, the players. Buong puso 'yan for Magnolia.”
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada)