In the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is giving sparingly used Russel Escoto more opportunities to showcase his wares.
Russel Escoto took a deep breath, smiled, then began to answer questions from a couple of reporters at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Wednesday night, April 9.
His Magnolia teammates then interrupted the interview, swarming the 6-foot-6 forward in a cramped space inside the historic venue in Manila.
But Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Rome dela Rosa, Zavier Lucero, Jerom Lastimosa and Peter Alfaro were all just proud of Escoto.
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After all, the former Far Eastern University standout helped set the tone for the Hotshots in their 83-71 dumping of Converge.
Escoto dropped all of his 11 points in the first 24 minutes of action as Magnolia went on to claim a 2-0 win-loss record for the early lead, which they shared later in the night with fellow winner San Miguel.
“Thankful akong nag-start na ako. Ready lang ako. Kinausap naman ako ni coach (Chito Victolero) na ibigay ko lang 'yong mga dapat kong ibigay sa team. Just follow the rules, the game plan. Sumusunod na lang talaga 'yong dapat sumunod sa laro,” Escoto said.
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Hotshots chief tactician Chito Victolero said he is giving the nine-year veteran a bigger role now that the imports are out.
“Bigger role for Russel. He worked a lot in the off-season. Mahirap lang kasi 'pag may import, talagang kakainin ng import 'yong minutes,” Victolero said.
“Now they have the opportunity to play. Kumpiyansa lang. Tinatrabaho naman nila sa practice that’s why lumalabas sa game.”
Escoto, who started for the second straight game, is embracing the challenge.
“Sabi nga ni coach, i-set lang namin 'yong tone. Sa bagong sistema namin, 'yong first group talaga ang magse-set ng tone sa laro. Kita ninyo naman, very physical at sobrang bilis ng laro namin ngayon,” he said.
Escoto hopes this would be the break he yearns for since entering the league in 2016.
“Hopefully, sana magtuluy-tuloy. Sana makatulong ako sa team. Alam naman nating matagal nang hindi nakakapag-champion 'yong team. Sana makatulong ako para makamit namin 'yong goal na 'yon,” he said.