The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters at 3:00 PM on February 10, 2023 live from the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila.
The Hotshots are hoping that they’ll be able to break their losing skid and finally get their first victory in this conference while the Fuelmasters will try to run what they have practiced after a long break and hope that they’ll get a positive result.
Phoenix’s adjustment with their new basketball system under new head coach Jamike Jarin continues and with their, almost a week break their fans are hoping that this time around they have ample time to execute their plays more efficiently which can bring them more wins.
In their last outing, they got ousted by the NLEX Road Warriors, 94-98. Their import Du’vaughn Maxwell tried to carry the team with his 25 points and 11 rebounds but still went short for them to get a victory against the electrifying NLEX import Jonathon Simmons who already sailed back to China to rejoin his team in CBA.
Tyler Tio needs to find his old self and led again the Fuelmasters just like he did in the previous conference while they’re waiting for the return of JV Mocon who is still nursing an injury. Tio got a decent game versus NLEX with his 11 points while Jason Perkins was their other go-to guy who made 17 points and eleven rebounds.
For Magnolia, on the other hand, the squad will be parading a new import as they replaced Eric McCree. They will be unleashing today Antonio Hester who served Terrafirma Dyip in the 2021 edition of the third conference.
With McCree, the Hotshots went 0-3 though he is a good points contributor but may lack the inside presence which made the franchise onboard a new foreign reinforcement.
“Pero ‘yung spot na kulang namin right now, mapupunan niya,” added Victolero. “‘Yung inside game, rebounding. Mga iyon talaga ang kulang namin with the absence of Ian (Sangalang). I think, ‘yun muna ang kailangan naming bigyan ng pansin.”
Sangalang is still out and his position plus the stats he registered each game is so crucial to the success of the team. From a positive perspective, the available players start to pick up their game to take over the void left by both Sangalang and Rafi Reavis.
In their last game against their sister team, the San Miguel Beermen, both James Laput and Russel Escoto showcased their skills which made their mentor pleases.
“Maganda contribution, nag-step up sila and sana tuloy-tuloy na,” said Victolero. “Iyon lang naman, mag-step up ibang players, makuha namin rhythm. Sana makakuha ng buwelo bukas then mag-dire-diretso na.”