Victolero dismisses persistent online knocks at Hotshots

A certain refrain followed Magnolia and head coach Chito Victolero on Saturday night on the heels of a rousing debut in the 2024 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

Even after a 106-75 thrashing of Converge, fans on the internet were quick to poke at the win at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, reaching for a knock that many hurled at the Hotshots over and over in the past seasons—and even more fervently in the last Commissioner’s Cup.“Here we go again,” a certain Noah Jones wrote on the game’s update on the league’s Facebook page.

“Nothing new about you guys. We know your story, Magnolia. ‘Introvoys,’” said another.

Magnolia has always looked capable in the elimination phase, but fans think its sharpness fades when it matters most with the Hotshots incapable of finishing off championships.The team has made five title series appearances under Victolero and only won once, with that 2018 Governors’ Cup win feeling ages ago.

Done it all

Victolero has grown used to the knock, which is a play to a Filipino pop-rock outfit of the ’90s. He has always acknowledged the wit behind the quip and continued to welcome the serious questions that come with the reference.

“I’ve been in this game for so many years now. I’ve been a player, I’ve been a coach, I’ve gone through many challenges, I’ve been injured. But I’ve always respected the opinions of other people. That’s their business,” he told the Inquirer that Saturday night while walking to his car.

“Those people, if they don’t understand what we’re doing, or appreciate what we’re doing, that’s OK,” he went on. “What’s important is that within our circle, we know the kind of work we put in every day. We also know that management knows we’re trying our hardest for the best possible result.

“That’s all we’ve been trying to chase: To get to the playoffs and have a chance at the title—every conference. And I think we have always done that. Winning a championship is hard in any sport. But we’ve always given ourselves an opportunity. A chance, right?”

Before making the final steps toward his vehicle, another van pulled over, and a familiar voice came out from its cockpit.“I like your postgame interview,” said Ryan Gregorio, a champion mentor who steered the same franchise to two of its 14 crowns overall. “Drown out the noise. You’re doing a damn tough job. You brought this team to the Finals many times.”Stunned by the compliment, Victolero profusely thanked his fellow coach before his voice trailed off.

And then he went back to making a point.

“I don’t want to compare [myself to other coaches], because it’s unfair however you look at it,” he said. “But I know I work hard every single day, my players play hard every single day. We have nothing to be ashamed of.” INQ