MAGNOLIA is now everybody's target as the Hotshots start the last half of their PBA Commissioner's Cup elims' campaign with still a perfect slate.
"We're the target right now and most of the teams are very motivated to beat us," said Hotshots mentor Chito Victolero, ahead of their game against San Miguel Beer in a Sunday face-off at the PhilSports Arena.
"We need to have a mindset to compete," added Victolero, who must be prodding his chargers to step up even more especially against an SMB side aching to bounce back from a humbling defeat to an import-less NorthPort rival Friday.
Game time is at 6:30 p.m. in this duel of heavyweights.
Minus June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, Jeron Teng, Vic Manuel and Kyt Jimenez, the Beermen fell to a 115-101 ambush by the Batang Pier who dug deep to overcome the absence of Venky Jois.
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The Beermen are likely to use the shattering loss as a rallying point as they eye a quick turnaround to avoid further slide.
Counting earlier upset by the NLEX Road Warriors, the Beermen are at No. 6 with a 3-2 slate.
The Hotshots, meanwhile, are at 6-0, enjoying a great momentum and the inside track in the race for the Top 4 spots that will be rewarded a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Entering the quarters is a mere formality for Victolero and his troops who have been unbeaten from the preseason OnTour series.
The Hotshots chalked up a sixth win in as many games with a 105-84 blasting of the Blackwater Bossing behind a massive 35-19 closing tear Wednesday.
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Tyler Bey sparked their fourth-quarter breakaway and finished with another hulking double-double outing with 26 points and 22 rebounds, going with three assists, one steal and one block against six turnovers.
And as in their previous wins, the needed local support was there.
Paul Lee top scored for the locals with 19 points with Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca chipping in 10 apiece.
And the other guys were there for the Hotshots. (SB)
