FILE PHOTO–Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Coach Chito Victolero couldn’t conceal the frustration of seeing Magnolia collapse late in regulation which led to his workforce’s 113-107 extra time loss to Meralco and a quarterfinal exit within the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“The educational lesson for us is that it’s not but over until it’s over,” Victolero stated with a combination of Filipino phrases following Wednesday’s playoff encounter at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots had been up 96-89 with greater than three minutes to go when the Bolts made a shocking comeback that resulted in Aaron Black’s buzzer-beating jumper to power a five-minute extension.
Meralco continued to get the breaks within the additional session behind Chris Newsome to punch its ticket to the semis and ship Magnolia to an offseason maybe crammed with regrets.
“I feel Meralco deserved to win as a result of they didn’t stop and nearly all the breaks went their manner,” Victolero stated. “We had sport however we couldn’t end the job.”
WATCH: Coach Chito Victolero exhibits his disappointment after Magnolia’s fourth quarter collapse towards Meralco of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal matchup. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/skY16FfSRl
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It was the second time underneath Victolero that Magnolia noticed its convention finish with a collapse within the last interval.
Magnolia had an 18-point lead towards TNT within the 2019 Governors’ Cup quarters, satirically the latter having present Meralco import KJ McDaniels as reinforcement, earlier than failing to shut it out within the payoff to lose 98-97.
A few occasions the Hotshots might shake their heads in disbelief over Merlaco’s alternatives comparable to Paul Lee’s three that was waived off on account of Mark Barroca’s shifting display screen whereas up 4.
“We’ve got to be sharp and sensible down the stretch,” Victolero lamented. “If we face elite groups like Meralco, Ginebra, San Miguel Beer or TNT, we have now to guarantee that we’re prepared for 48 minutes and keep away from having breakdowns late within the sport.”
Magnolia’s season ended after a 3rd convention that began on the flawed foot when it misplaced the primary three video games.
Import Antonio Hester got here in as a alternative and the Hotshots went 7-1, however was compelled to be positioned on a twice-to-win drawback after a 7-4 report was solely ok to complete outdoors of the highest 4, in fifth place to be precise.
Then the Bolts confirmed them the door, in probably the most gorgeous manner.
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