MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots may have had the tools to keep in step with four-peat PBA Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beermen but its lack of experience as a team proved hurtful in the just-concluded Finals series.
Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero said their inexperience was evident in their 108-99 Game 5 defeat to Beermen as they failed to hang on despite leading by as much as 23 points.
“Malaking bagay sa mga players ko iyon (experience). I know Paul Lee has experience, Mark Barroca, Peter June Simon, Rafi Reavis, but [experience] as a group, importante iyon,” said Victolero.
“Iyong San Miguel Beer, kung makikita niyo, grabe iyong chemistry nila at grabe rin iyong mental toughness nila,” he added. “And, hopefully, iyon ang nakuha namin dito sa Finals.”
On Friday night Hotshots committed 26 turnovers, half of which came in the final quarter when Beermen made its rallies. Lee and Ian Sangalang accounted for most of the turnovers.
Even though Magnolia fell short of winning its first PBA title since its Grand Slam year in 2014, Victolero said he was still content with how his players performed against San Miguel.
“We learned a lot, especially on how to prepare the mind-set of the players,” Victolero said.
“Pero iyong chemistry and teamwork, importante talaga iyon. Sana we learn that from our experience here,” he added.
It was Hotshots’ first Finals appearance after settling for semifinals finishes in all three conferences last season./PN
