Abueva, Sangalang, Dela Rosa set for Magnolia return

Magnolia Pambansang Manok could be in full force before the start of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals with key players set to return before the end of the eliminations.

Coach Chito Victolero said Ian Sangalang and Rome dela Rosa could be back by Sunday when the Hotshots take on the Alaska Aces while Calvin Abueva may see action on March 9 against the Blackwater Bossing.

Sangalang missed Magnolia’s come-from-behind 88-85 win over Meralco on Wednesday, March 2 due to a sore knee, but Victolero believes his big man can practice in the coming days.

“Okay na naman si Ian, but gusto lang naming maging kaunting conservative dun sa injury niya, kasi namaga after ng San Miguel game,” he said. “Meron lang siyang kaunting pananakit doon sa tuhod niya, but I think by tomorrow or Friday he can practice na with us.”

Dela Rosa has not played since the conference resumed due to a hamstring problem, so is Abueva, whose situation remains tricky after dealing with a strained calf muscle.

“Nag-start na siyang mag-court practice. And by Friday siguro, he can join na dun sa practice namin,” Victolero said of Dela Rosa, a key part of Magnolia’s rotation due to his defense.

“But Calvin, I think, starting by next week, early next week, baka maka-join na siya sa amin, and after that siguro, hopefully he can play in our last game.

“But if not, definitely, he can play in the playoffs,” Victolero concluded.

The Hotshots have overcome the absence of the three players to earn the first twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with a league-best 8-1 record,

Victolero said Magnolia’s rally from 16 down in the third quarter was the type of game his team needed before going into the quarters.

“We actually need this kind of game,” Victolero said. “Hindi naman lagi namin madodominate yung game, so mas maganda yung may iba-ibang challenges yung dumadating sa amin going into the playoffs.

“But of course, we have to learn from this. Sabi ko madami kaming game na slow start, but nakakarecover naman kami. But meron naman kaming game na slow start, and then hindi kami nakarecover, natalo kami.

“But basically, mas maganda para sa amin 'yung start strong, kasi nga, nakocontrol namin yung game,” added Victolero.