MANILA, Philippines – Chito Victolero said there’s no need for Magnolia to panic just yet despite remaining winless in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

But he also pointed out that the team needs to play with a “sense of urgency” as Magnolia absorbed its second straight loss in the tournament right after its comeback effort fell short in a 99-102 defeat to league-leading NorthPort on Wednesday, June 12. 

“[W]e will get better next time siguro, next game. And ‘yun lang naman ‘yung gusto namin, magkaroon ng chance,” Victolero told reporters after the game. 

(We will probably get better next time, next game. And that’s what we wanted, to have a chance to win.) 

“But ‘yun nga, we’re now 0-2 so we need to have that sense of urgency right now na we need to start winning siguro some ball games.” 

(But we’re now 0-2 so we need to have that sense of urgency right now that we need to start winning some ball games.)

While the Hotshots have proven they can thrive in the playoffs even with an average elimination round showing – just like in the Philippine Cup last month when they reached the finals despite ranking 6th – Victolero said winning early would be better. 

“Basta importante lang huwag kaming malubog. Kumbaga, mahirap kasi 0-3 na naman, ‘yung 1-4. So last time we have a hard time eh,” Victolero said. 

(What’s important is we don’t get too low in the standings. It’s hard to get back when you’re down 0-3 or 1-4. The last time we had that kind of record, we had a hard time.) 

“So ngayon, it’s not the time to panic, but kailangan namin mag-start na siguro manalo.” 

(It’s not the time to panic now, but we need to start winning.)

Magnolia can seize that elusive victory when it meets the struggling NLEX (0-5) at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, June 14. 

“Parehas kaming winless eh so it will be a good game. Of course they need to win also. Kami din ganoon, backs against the wall,” Victolero said. 

(We’re both winless so it will be be a good game. Of course they need to win. We also need to win because we have our backs against the wall.) – Rappler.com