Magnolia might have fallen short of completing the comeback in Game 1 but head coach Chito Victolero lauded his third stringers for powering the late game resurgence that offered some positives moving forward into the series.

With the veteran coach seemingly waving the white flag already after pulling out his starters when his team trailed by 20, 96-76, early in the final frame, the collective effort from shocktroopers in Joseph Eriobu, Russel Escoto and Jonathan Mendoza breathed some life to the Hotshots’ cause in the waning minutes.

“I would like to give credit to [our] third group, they came very [good] at least nagkaroon pa kami ng chance sa [bandang] dulo [ng game], kahit papano,” Victolero stressed after their 103-95 loss against San Miguel, on Friday, Feb. 2, at the Mall of Asia of Arena in Pasay City.

Magnolia trimmed the lead down to just five points, 100-95 to suddenly threaten late before free throws from San Miguel and some late game miscues for the Hotshots put the game away for the Beermen.

Still it was a positive development for Victolero especially in a game that was marred by measly shooting and uncharacteristic turnovers – something that the one-time champion coach pinned the blame on fatigue.

After all, Friday’s game was the Hotshots’ third game in a five day span after needing four games to dispatch Phoenix in the semifinals. The 48-year-old head tactician underscored his team's uninspired showing in the first half, resulting in the well-rested San Miguel taking the momentum.

“I think we lost the one quarter which is the second quarter, we lost I think 20 points, kaya that’s the only quarter na medyo malaki ‘yung binigay namin,” Victolero said.

“We just need to watch the film, and hahanapin namin kung anong pwedeng gawin adjustment coming from that quarter. We’re still positive because this is a series. This is not a do-or-die game,” he added.

Bennie Boatwright shone once again for SMB with a double-double numbers of 28 points and 16 rebounds while CJ Perez backed him with 19.

Meanwhile, Tyler Bey listed 26 points and 15 rebounds despite having a rough night. Mark Barroca supported Magnolia by posting 16 points.

There’s certainly no time to whine for the Hotshots as they immediately go back to action and prevent themselves from falling to a 0-2 hole in Game 2 on Sunday, Feb. 4, at the same venue.