COLUMN: Is Victolero still the right man to lead Magnolia rebuilding?

Hotshots’ core has an average age of 34, one sign that may be it’s time to break the group apart

CHICAGO – Once Chito Victolero took over the coaching reins in 2016, Magnolia’s D instantly became as revered and recognized as that M on McDonald’s.

The schemes and play-calls that choke opposing team offenses became the lynchpin of the Hotshots’ 2018 Governor’s Cup championship, a run that saw Victolero win the Coach of the Year award.

Even the great Tab Baldwin noticed and admired it.

“I like the way he coaches his defense. I like the way he handles his team,” the current Ateneo coach and former Gilas program director said on a SPIN ZOOM episode last May 2021.

Since that magical Governors’ Cup in 2018, Victolero had engineered a streak of sustained excellence with three more Finals appearances which, unfortunately, bore no more titles.

In this ongoing Philippine Cup conference, though, the vaunted defense that used to evoke fear for its restraint and physicality had opened up like a flower.

Here’s how Magnolia’s usually top notch defense had plummeted through 11 elimination round games.

The Hotshots are ranked No.3 in both points and field goal percentage allowed at 89.8 and 42.9, respectively. They are No.5 in assists allowed (20.6) and No.8 in free throws surrendered at 26 an outing.

More damningly, the Hotshots are last among 12 teams in 3-point field goals allowed at 35.9 percent (124 of 345).