Can import Jabari Bird be the last piece to the Magnolia Hotshots’ championship aspirations this PBA Governors’ Cup?
The fourth time may be the charm for the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and coach Chito Victolero.
After three imports failed to live up to expectations, Victolero paraded a new one in Jabari Bird in hopes of turning things around for the Hotshots in their Governors' Cup playoff run.
Bird repaid that trust with a 22-point, 13-rebound game as Magnolia tied the quarterfinal series against Rain or Shine to one game apiece.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Jabari Bird soars in 52–point Magnolia beating of Rain or Shine, levels QF series]
More than the impressive statline, it was the 30-year-old's ray of positivity that caught the eye of Victolero.
“It’s not the numbers but the positive aura, the positive vibe of JB,” the one time PBA champion coach bared.
Victolero emphasized that he was in search of an import who will do the intangibles on the court after their three previous reinforcements seemed to not click well with the team.
Then the management came with Bird.
"'Yung kailangan lang talaga namin is 'yung contribution to the little things, defense, rebounding, and the positive energy which is I think nabigay samin ni JB ‘yun."
The 48-year-old mentor also admitted that they thought former import Shabazz Muhammad will be their main reinforcement throughout the season.
Unfortunately, knee problems forced Magnolia to replace Muhammad with Rayvonte Rice, who suffered the same fate as the former got replaced after just two games.
[ALSO READ: ‘That’s the kind of thing I do’: Shabazz Muhammad takes over late for Magnolia in PBA win over Terrafirma]
“We feel that Shabazz (Muhammad) was our main guy. He will finish the conference for us, but suddenly nagkaroon ng problema, na-injure [siya].
Overall, Victolero expressed his gratitude to SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua and big boss Ramon S. Ang for helping the team address their import woes.
“We[are in] need na magpadala agad ng import and were thankful to Boss Al [Chua], Boss RSA and to the management because they keep on supporting us.”
“Walang kasiguraduhan kung aabot ‘to ng ilang games but boss RSA and boss Al just keep on sending imports to us to give us an opportunity to compete in a higher level against Rain or Shine. “
[ALSO READ: Alfrancis Chua, Robert Jaworski honored in PBA Press Corps Awards Night]