THERE will be perks as well as pressure in William Navarro's entry to Magnolia.
No less than Hotshots coach Chito Victolero aired this Wednesday, a day after acquiring Navarro from NorthPort in exchange for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza and a second-round draft pick in Season 51.
The addition of Navarro to a frontline that already boasts of Ian Sangalang, Zavier Lucero, Russell Escoto, James Laput and Rafi Reavis further solidifies the belief that Magnolia is a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup.
Not so fast, according to Victolero, who pointed out that having an abundance of talent in a team that also has Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Rome dela Rosa, Jerom Lastimosa and Aris Dionisio, among others, carries with it high expectations.
"Maganda naging composition kasi, una, ang laki ng ibinata namin and then in that position medyo na-establish iyon with Lucero and him. So lumalim kasi he can play multiple positions. Anything na ibabato sa amin ng kalaban, tingin ko, makaka-match up kami," said Victolero.
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"Pero there's more pressure kasi we have to deliver also," explained Victolero, who had a lengthy talk with the former Gilas player when the latter attended his first Magnolia practice Wednesday.
"Pero lagi namang ganoon ang goal, na we have to deliver lalo pa't now na we have the material to compete," Victolero also said before adding he cautioned the 28-year-old to not rush things too much.
"I told him it's a process... it takes time. Ang sabi ko lang sa kanya (Navarro), as much as possible, kung mapapabilis mo (integration), with the help of the other players and the coaching staff," related Victolero.
"Kailangan lang siguro niyang i-embrace kung ano role niya. It's a different one from noong nasa NorthPort siya. Pero I talked with him and from what I can see kahit ano ipagawa mo sa kanyang role I think kaya naman niya."
Victolero will not be alone in helping Navarro familiarize with Magnolia. "I have to have help from other people, the players, coaching staff," he stressed.
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"I've also talked to the (team) veterans and sinabi ko na iyon ang goal, na masama agad siya sa chemistry ng team. 'Yung mga beterano alam nilang makakatulong ang bata," added Voctolero.
"I also talked to Zavier kasi nagkasama sila for mga one year sa NorthPort and isa rin siya sa factors para maging komportable si Will dito."
If things go as planned, Navarro's debut with Magnolia would be a veritable baptism of fire when the Hotshots clash with Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (NC)
