PBA: Magnolia stays focused despite beating Phoenix anew

Magnolia took down Phoenix, 82-79, on Wednesday in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals, making it the ninth straight win of the Hotshots against the Fuel Masters.

The winning streak, dating back to the 2021-22 season, started after Phoenix eliminated Magnolia in the 2020 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Despite drawing first blood in the best-of-five semis, Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said the team would rather focus on the present than look back on their history with Phoenix.

"For us, this is a different ball game, a different series, a different conference. We don't want to look back. We want to stay in the present and look for our future," Victolero said on Wednesday.

"Whatever is the history, the most important thing is how we play today, tomorrow, and the next game. We will try our best to win another game on Friday."

Wednesday's win, however, was not the easiest for the Hotshots as they trailed at the end of the first half, 41-38.

"We're very frustrated in the first half. Most of the players are very frustrated," admitted Victolero.

"I told them that you need to grind this game, you need to have that mental ability or mental toughness to execute our game plan. It's hard for them because Phoenix played very well on defense also. We need to have that mindset that this is not an easy game for us. We need to grind every single possession."

In the elimination round, Magnolia defeated Phoenix, 107-92. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News