Hotshots fired up by 'Introboys' tag

MANILA, Philippines -- The Magnolia Hotshots are using the “Introboys” tag given to the team as motivation after failing to win the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last month despite the strong start to their season.
 
In the import-laden conference, Magnolia won its first seven games and was the favorites to win the title, but they ran into a brick wall that is the San Miguel Beermen.

On Saturday, the Hotshots won their first game in the PBA Philippine Cup against the Converge FiberXers, 106-75.

After the game, guard Jio Jalalon said the team is undeterred by the “Introboys” tag.

“It is really motivating for us, but we choose not to listen to it. We are just showing every game what we can do and what the coaches are asking us to do,” Jalalon told reporters in Filipino after the game.

“We are just staying with our scheme,” the guard, who finished with 14 points, seven assists, five steals and three rebounds in the game.

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said that the team is not minding such comments from the fans.

“We just work hard and whatever the opinion of the other people, we respect them. We will work hard and then we will have the opportunity to go to that finals again and then whatever they say, introboys… whatever they say, we achieved something,” the guard stressed.

“We’re not the best talented team, we’re not the best in terms of lineup but I’m proud of these players because we’re the best, in my opinion, the best in chemistry. I love my players and I love my team,” he added.

“We respect that opinion, but that will not stop us.”

It was a rousing debut for the Hotshots where they saw a 33-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Magnolia, in the process, sent Converge to its fifth straight loss.

They will be facing rivals Ginebra next on March 31 in a Manila Clasico matchup.