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Victolero "thankful and proud" for Hotshots guards for rising to the challenge

Mark Barroca had an impressive two-way game after a cold Game 1 performance. PBA Media Group
By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Coach Chito Victolero believes Magnolia was on a mission on Monday night.

"Yung mga players ko, na-challenge sila," Victolero said in the post-game press conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum following his club's 106-77 rout of Ginebra in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.


This came two nights after the Barangay romped the sluggish Hotshots in the opener at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

"Yun ang pinag-usapan namin: our spirit, yung aura at passion namin noong Game 1. It's not the Magnolia Hotshots basketball," Victolero shared what they discussed pregame.

In particular, Victolero also thought Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon rose up to the challenge pretty well.

After being held to a combined seven markers in Game 1, Jalalon went for 17 points, five rebounds, six assists, and five steals in Game 2, while Barroca posted 13 markers, three boards, two dimes, and four steals.

"They told me yesterday, 'We will go all out in this game.' I'm thankful and proud for these two guys. Kumbaga yung game nila, talagang yun yung Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca," Victolero further said.

In general, he thought that Magnolia went all out.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno