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| Magnolia became the first team ever to clinch a championship in Antipolo. PBA Media Group |
By Ivan Saldajeno
ANTIPOLO--Magnolia made history on Wednesday night by being the first Philippine Basketball Association team to clinch a championship at the Ynares Center, finishing off Alaska, 102-86, in Game 6 of the Governors' Cup Finals.
[Related Story: Magnolia romps Alaska to win PBA Govs Cup title]
For Team Manager Alvin Patrimonio, it was like winning it all inside the other main arenas of the league.
"Very memorable sa amin ito gaya nung mga championships namin sa Cuneta [Astrodome] and [Smart] Araneta [Coliseum]," he said.
The Hotshots won the title with what Patrimonio thinks is a special kind of group.
"Iba ang strength nitong team na ito. The composition talaga, very unique. Talagang ang bilis. Galing dumepensa," he described the current Magnolia group led by eventual Finals Most Valuable Player Mark Barroca, fellow spitfire guards Jio Jalalon and Paul Lee, all-around import Romeo Travis, and agile center Ian Sangalang.
But for Patrimonio, what stood out is their bond that rookie Robbie Herndon even described as family-like.
[Related Story: From being 1-on-1 king, Herndon now a 5-on-5 champ with Magnolia]
[Related Story: From being 1-on-1 king, Herndon now a 5-on-5 champ with Magnolia]
"Yung relationship with each other--yung chemistry--number one yun eh. We lack height, pero andoon yung desire ng team. Yung determination, nandoon," Patrimonio further said.
Now, the Hotshots' cohesion finally bore fruit with their 14th championship overall.
"Yung players naman, ripe na to win a championship. Ito yung magandang timing," Patrimonio said.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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