Magnolia sealing entry into the playoffs is just a matter of time.
But the Hotshots, with an unblemished slate in six starts, are not to about to relax, convinced they have to continue working hard as they face a long road towards achieving their ultimate goal in PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Tough tests are welcome for coach Chito Victolero's troops, knowing these would make them a better team or would prepare them for a long haul.
Rain or Shine is a team that could give them that in their 7:30 p.m. setto Sunday at the Ynares Center Montalban.
"It's another tough test. Like Meralco, every time we face Rain or Shine, it's a physical game. Ready naman ang players, beterano sila, alam na nila kung ano ang pupuntahan nilang game," said Victolero.
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Rain or Shine is considered a middle tier team, which could contend with anybody in any given night. The Elasto Painters are at 3-2 going into the match, with victories over NorthPort, Meralco and Blackwater and losses to NLEX and Converge.
"Yun ang pinag-uusapan namin bago tayo magbakasyon, sana panalo tapos may time tayo mag-prepare para sa leading team ngayon, Magnolia. So malaking bagay 'yun (breather between games) para maka-recover 'yung bigs namin at mag-prepare," said ROS coach Yeng Guiao.
They came through with a strong finishing kick to repulse the Bossing, 120-106, in their last outing on May 7.
And it could well be a dogfight with the E-Painters determined to climb up the leaderboard and the Hotshots raring to sustain their searing run.
A win for Magnolia will mean outright playoffs entry.
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"Ang mindset namin is malayo pa ito (6-0 start). It's a good start but hindi kami pwedeng mag-kampante dahil hindi naman dito natatapos 'yung conference. Sabi ko sa players ko, we should keep on working hard because that's the secret (to the team's early romps). And they are embracing and buying into that," said Victolero.
"Sabi ko nga sa mga players, lahat yan they want to beat us because they want to boost their confidence with a victory against us. So that will be foremost on our minds," Victolero also said.(SB)
