by Waylon Galvez
The two-day Lenten break Magnolia should make the players down to the coaching staff feeling refreshed and recharged when they take on Rain or Shine in Game Four of their PBA Philippine Cup race-to-four semifinal duel Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After scoring an 85-74 win over the E-Painters Tuesday, head coach Chito Victolero decided to forego training on Wednesday and Thursday but showed up for practice Friday.
Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok center Ian Sangalang talks to Paul Lee, who grimaces in pain as team trainer Emman Papa stretches his leg during practice session Friday at the Ronac gym in San Juan City. (Waylon Galvez)
“Of course it’s good that we were able to have a couple of days rest, it’s good for the players,” Victolero said prior to the team’s practice session Friday at the Ronac Gym in San Juan City.
The break came after Magnolia played their sixth game in 11 days.
“We’re really tired, the whole team, because we’ve been playing on consecutive games, and from coaches to players we’re a bit drained. We gave the players two days off – Wednesday and Thursday. I’m sure players will have fresh legs and also fresh minds,” added Victolero.
Magnolia’s playoff campaign began with an 86-75 defeat against Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series last April 6.
The team then took the next two games – 106-77 in Game 2 and 85-72 in Game 3 – to clinch a semifinal berth.
A well rested Rain or Shine squad stunned Magnolia in their series opener of their Final Four playoff, 84-77, and the grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series with a 93-80 win in Game 2.
Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok center Ian Sangalang talks to Paul Lee, who grimaces in pain as team trainer Emman Papa stretches his leg during practice session Friday at the Ronac gym in San Juan City. (Waylon Galvez)
“Of course it’s good that we were able to have a couple of days rest, it’s good for the players,” Victolero said prior to the team’s practice session Friday at the Ronac Gym in San Juan City.
The break came after Magnolia played their sixth game in 11 days.
“We’re really tired, the whole team, because we’ve been playing on consecutive games, and from coaches to players we’re a bit drained. We gave the players two days off – Wednesday and Thursday. I’m sure players will have fresh legs and also fresh minds,” added Victolero.
Magnolia’s playoff campaign began with an 86-75 defeat against Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series last April 6.
The team then took the next two games – 106-77 in Game 2 and 85-72 in Game 3 – to clinch a semifinal berth.
A well rested Rain or Shine squad stunned Magnolia in their series opener of their Final Four playoff, 84-77, and the grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series with a 93-80 win in Game 2.