Magnolia def Terrafirma,100-92 [Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup | September 28, 2022]

A well-rested Magnolia crew now more familiar with its import aims to kick off its campaign on a high note when it faces Terrafirma at 3 p.m.Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Due to an unspecified injury Calvin Abueva is a game-time decision for the Hotshots but coach Chito Victolero is optimistic his side would be able to pick up from its third place finish in the Philippine Cup last month.

“I think we’re ready naman,” said Victolero on the eve of the match. “‘Yung import nakasama na namin for the last three weeks so chemistry with him okay naman. Yung mga players naging maganda rin pahinga kasi medyo talagang bugbog noong playoffs.

“Iyon lang kasi inaalalayan ko, timing at chemistry with the import.”

Having a virtually intact lineup and having good rapport with Serbian-American Nikola Rakocevic is indeed a must against a Terrafirma squad that wants to bounce back from a 110-124 defeat from Converge last Friday.

Balik-import Lester Prosper immediately made his presence felt right on his first game back, notching 43 points and 25 boards for the Dyip against the FiberXers.

Sadly, though, the local Terrafirma players failed to give the former Indonesian naturalized player the much-needed support and the Dyip as whole simply faded in the second half to absorb their 17th straight loss since the last Governors’ Cup.