STOPPED on their tracks the last time out, the Magnolia Hotshots eye quick recovery, hoping to make good on their second shot at an outright playoffs entry as they tackle the NorthPort Batang Pier in a Saturday out-of-town setto at the Candon City Arena in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
The Hotshots have gained a great headway on a strong start in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup elims that they were hardly shaken by their 105-119 loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Sunday.
"I think we need to go back to basic, go back again to the film, watch the film, and then, sabi ko nga kanina (his players), 'wala naman natalo, may natuto lang.' Natuto kami doon na it's not easy (to win)," Magnolia coach Chito Victolero told Spin.ph.
The Hotshots will now apply their learnings in their 7:30 p.m. face-off with the Batang Pier, hoping for a good game and a win that could provide them momentum and positive vibes entering a tough elims closing stretch ushered in by the Manila Clasico on June 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After the match with Ginebra, Victolero and his troops will then tackle the NLEX Road Warriors on June 6 and the TNT Tropang 5G on June 13. These matches could play a big part in determining the Top Four placings.
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"I told the players, it's not easy. We will experience all the challenges this conference. I think nakita na namin ngayon (against Rain or Shine). So we need to go back again to basic and work hard in preparation for our next game," said Victolero.
One win will seal the Hotshots' quarterfinals passage. The goal, however, is to win as many games as possible to finish in the Top Four and gain a coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, NorthPort, at 1-5, is simply out to stop its skid and spark a chase towards landing a spot in the Top Eight.
After a rousing 97-75 win over the Terrafirma Dyip in their conference debut, the Batang Pier have gone to a nosedive, losing their next five outings versus Rain or Shine, Blackwater, Ginebra, Meralco and Converge.
Making things very bad for coach Bonnie Tan's squad was ace player Arvin Tolentino going down with an injury.
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They hope to start turning things around versus the Hotshots in Candon.(SB)
