MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados is not about to let its guard down despite its unbeaten start to the PBA Philippine Cup.
Not when the Hotshots have an ultimate goal on their sights.
"At the end of the day, it's how you finish the conference, na hopefully panalo ka sa very last game of the season. Iyun 'yung ultimate goal namin," said coach Chito Victolero prior to his Magnolia side's collision with Terrafirma Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
"Everybody in the team, from the staff to the players, alam naman nila iyan pero we will keep reminding them," added Victolero.
Another win by the Hotshots would boost their pristine record to 5-0, still a long way to go before a hoped-for title series appearance, but enough to keep them at the pole and closer to a playoffs appearance.
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Victolero would not let his players veer away from the track he has laid out despite the Dyip having a 1-3 slate due to three straight losses.
"Hindi p'wedeng mag-kompiyansa. Baka mamaya madali pa tayo noon," admonished Victolero.
Terrafirma is well-rested after an 80-101 shellacking from Barangay Ginebra last April 23. But so is Magnolia after a 118-99 dismantling of Phoenix in Zamboanga City two Saturdays ago.
Victolero gave his Hotshots little time to savor their latest win. "Actually, pagbalik namin mula doon, Tuesday nag-film (viewing) kami, ipinakita namin mga kailangan pang i-improve," he related.
"Continuous naman learning namin. Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, hindi porke 4-0 kami hindi doon na natatapos conference namin," added Victolero before baring some areas his team still needs to address.
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"Sa depensa I think may mga kulang pa sa gusto naming gawin, meron pang konting lapses. Rebounding kailangan pang i-improve. Sa opensa, 'yung aming transition kailangan pa tamang spacing, turnovers kailangang ibaba," was how Victolero put it.
Its remaining games schedule after Terrafirma also gives Magnolia some leeway in its recovery and polishing chores since it veritably has a week off in-between each of its next three games before playing three games in the first eight days of June.
"Medyo favorable schedule dahil nga enough time para maka-recover 'yung may mga injuries and sana maka-pondo ng enough wins," (NC)
