The Magnolia Hotshots improved to a 4-3 win-loss record after the win over Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero wanted an import who would take over with the game on the line.
Victolero got just that from Shabazz Muhammad when the Hotshots hammered out a 99-98 win over Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
Struggling for the most part because of foul trouble, Muhammad dribbled right before spinning in the opposite direction to uncork a running floater over the outstretched arms of Andreas Cahilig.
He made the shot.
The 31-year-old Muhammad later shared his conversation with Victolero about the latter’s expectations from him before replacing Glen Robinson III.
“We had a meeting and he told me what he expected from me and that's the kind of thing I do,” he told reporters after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“I kept my head going forward. I didn't play the whole third quarter due to three fouls. And he was like, 'I need you in this second half,' and I thought I did a good job on that. I was really, really happy about that, to uplift our team and get us that win.”
Still, the former San Miguel reinforcement, who finished with 20 points, admitted he is still groping for form.
“It's frustrating being in foul trouble. Almost cost our team. So that's something I gotta adjust to,” he said.
“But you know, I thought I kept my head up -- that's the thing about basketball, it's a lot of ups and downs and I thought I really came back in the second half and gave us what we needed to get that lift to win that game.”
Muhammad is expected to get even better as the Hotshots (4-3) make a final push for the quarterfinals.
Magnolia will next take on the TNT Tropang Giga on Tuesday, September 17, 7:30 p.m. at the same venue.