Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero heaved a sigh of relief after his injury-plagued team fought for a hard-earned 80-77 win against NorthPort to finally barge into the win column in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday, June 15.
Victolero commended his wards for braving the court despite some of them, namely Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, and Ian Sangalang, nursing respective injuries.
Aside from getting the elusive win in the first three games, the Hotshots tactician said his team has braced for a bigger challenge early in the season.
"Ngayon talaga we just try to battle not only on the court, but also try to battle the injures," said Victolero, revealing that Sangalang had suffered from an undisclosed minor injury while Lee, due to back spasms, endured stiffness in the last two minutes of the game.
"We try to battle everything. It's a big challenge for us, sa injuries," added the one-time PBA champion coach.
Barroca, for his part, had a calf injury he sustained in their game against Converge last June 10.
Lee scored 12 points while Sangalang and Barroca had eight points apiece but it was Calvin Abueva, who, along with Rome Dela Rosa, delivered key baskets for Magnolia for the win.
Abueva finished with 23 points along with 12 rebounds while Dela Rosa only had three points, hitting his lone field goal out of eight attempts with a crucial three-pointer down the stretch.
Aris Dionisio also provided a lift for the Hotshots, who improved to a 1-2 record.
"I would like to credit si Aris and Mark," added Victolero. "They are not practicing with us the last two days, actually, yesterday lang sila nag-practice. But they are ready mentally and physically.
"Not only them. Si Calvin, Ian, and everyone. Nag-step up sila and maganda ang contributions."