Leader of the pack

Magnolia is the only team left standing without a loss in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup and Calvin Abueva, known as the ultimate game changer, hasn’t even played for the Chicken Timplados Hotshots. While 27 rookies have so far seen action in the conference and about 10 more are expected to report for duty during the season, Magnolia is also the only team without a freshman in the roster.

During the offseason, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero shored up his frontline by acquiring Abu Tratter and Dave Murrell while trading Keith Zaldivar and Adrian Wong away. His core remained intact. Last season, Magnolia took third place in the Philippine and Commissioner’s Cup but failed to make it to the Final Four in the Governors’ Cup. In the OnTour summer series, Magnolia was the only undefeated team with a perfect 11-0 mark. Victolero’s sole feather in his cap was the 2018 Governors’ Cup championship, Magnolia’s last title so the drought has extended to the last nine conferences.

It’s too early to predict if Mangolia has what it takes to go all the way this conference but from the looks of things, the Hotshots are on the right track. Finding the right import is key to every championship run and Tyler Bey appears to be a perfect fit. He’s averaging 29.8 points and 13.5 rebounds, shooting 63.9 percent from two-point range and 55 percent overall. Victolero starts Bey at the three spot with Rafi Reavis, the league’s oldest player at 46, taking care of the middle and James Laput playing four. Bey’s versatility to slide from three to four to five is a luxury.

Consistency on both ends has been Magnolia’s trademark in racing to a 4-0 record. The Hotshots are No. 2 in both offense and defense. They’re No. 1 in opponents’ turnovers, turnover points and second chance points, reflecting pressure on defense, transition in capitalizing on errors and dominance on the offensive boards. With Ian Sangalang in harness and Tratter in the mix, Victolero’s frontline depth is like an ocean.

Sangalang’s return to action is a huge blessing. He played only a game in the previous Governors’ Cup and sat out 11 to recover from a thyroid issue. Sangalang saw action in three games during the OnTour series and got stronger to prepare for the new season. Now, he’s back in shape, averaging eight points and six rebounds. Despite Magnolia’s massive frontline, three guards are averaging in double figure points – Mark Barroca 16 off the bench, Paul Lee 13.8 and Jio Jalalon 12.8. Victolero’s recipe for success is founded on balance. Players know their roles and do what’s expected of them. That makes for court clarity.

Magnolia’s victims have been TNT, Phoenix, NorthPort and Barangay Ginebra in that order. Against Ginebra, Magnolia overcame a 26-point deficit to win by two, leading just 31 seconds the entire distance. It’s still a long way to the end of the eliminations but with a 15-game winning streak dating back to the OnTour series, Magnolia has emerged as the team to beat. When Abueva is reactivated, the Hotshots will be even tougher. Bey, 25, is the youngest import in town and the youngest on his squad. The Hotshots’ average age is 30.8 and six are under 30. The combination of youth and experience is a blend that Victolero is using to generate the chemistry for a championship team.