TRAPPED AND TALENTED | CHITO VICTOLERO

Chito Victolero captured his first and only PBA championship during the 2018 Governors’ Cup. From that title team, only Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Rafi Reavis, Rome Dela Rosa, and Mark Barroca remain. That also happens to be the last time the Magnolia Hotshots hoisted a trophy. Since then, they’ve reached the finals three times in 14 conferences—and just capped off their 14th failed title run by blowing a twice-to-beat advantage against corporate rival TNT.

Also, it's ironic to see that TNT's oldest player decided the ballgame when he got fouled by Magnolia's oldest player.

But Kelly Williams finished the game with a double-double in 34 minutes. Rafi Reavis, on the other hand, had three rebounds in eight minutes.

Hmmm...

Anyway, Victolero’s Magnolia squads have earned the nickname “Intro Boys.” And no, it’s not because their starting five resembles a '90s boy band. It’s because they start strong and fade when it matters. He’s not a bad coach by any means. His Magnolia Hotshots coaching gig is almost a reward for enduring his early years coaching Kia/Mahindra.

In fact, he was like the SMC version of Yeng Guiao when Guiao was still at NLEX.

But therein lies the irony.

When Guiao wanted out of the MVP umbrella, the bigwigs didn’t stand in his way.

And that’s exactly what might happen with Victolero now.

Guiao thrives in a “no-superstar” environment, giving minutes to those who earn it in practice. His latest pet project, Jhonard Clarito, just posted a 20-20 game despite being just 6’2. But even Guiao’s no-frills system falters in a team with resources—because players with superstar expectations don’t always mesh with a blue-collar philosophy.

Case in point: at NLEX, Guiao cut down Asi Taulava’s minutes from over 30 to just 10. Before the appointment of CYG, Asi had double-double averages and was part of the Mythical Second Team. Coach Yeng also phased out veterans like Cyrus Baguio and Larry Fonacier, and scared off talents like Carlo Lastimosa. He had that signature no-nonsense "curse the heavens" approach, but it didn't work as well as it did with Rain or Shine. His NLEX squads made the semis just twice in almost seven seasons. When he returned to Rain or Shine, things clicked again—because that's his ideal ecosystem.

For instance, Guiao just defeated his former team for the Elasto Painters' third straight semifinal appearance.

Victolero, on the other hand, is stuck between philosophies. He has always been a coach who rewards hard work like Yeng Guiao, but his team isn't. Magnolia, formerly Purefoods and San Mig Super Coffee, is a franchise built on icons like Alvin Patrimonio and James Yap. It has always been a superstar team. Their peak years were defined by strong starting fives—Patrimonio with Jerry Codinera, Rey Evangelista, and Dindo Pumaren; Yap with Marc Pingris, Peter June Simon, and Mark Barroca.

Now, Magnolia is tiptoeing into a rebuild. Zavier Lucero was acquired from Northport for Jio Jalalon. Peter Alfaro, initially a stop-gap until Jerom Lastimosa's injury heals, earned a rest-of-season deal, which pushed Jerrick Balanza out as part of the trade for Will Navarro. That deal also meant letting go of Calvin Abueva—who, to his credit, still showed support online during their loss to TNT.

CALVIN ABUEVA COULD HAVE PLAYED BIIIIIIIIIIIG HERE

But make no mistake: Magnolia could’ve used Beast Mode Abueva during the playoffs.

Navarro is solid, but he’s new and clearly hesitant to assert himself among Magnolia’s vets. In contrast, Abueva’s minutes spiked when the team needed a spark. One of the most controversial moments of that TNT loss was subbing in 47-year-old Rafi Reavis with 5.8 seconds left. Sure, he's a veteran and Victolero’s old teammate from their MBA-San Juan Knights days—but he should have gone with one of its starters.

At 47 years old, with the eyes of the entire arena on him, Rafi Reavis may have been a little too eager to play the hero—and it ultimately made him the perfect target for TNT’s final play. On the replay, his flailing arms seemed to work in Kelly Williams’ favor after Jordan Heading missed the triple. Zavier Lucero was actually on the floor alongside Reavis during that crucial play. He had a chance to help, but allowed Kelly Williams a clean path to the offensive rebound. Reavis tried to recover and contest the play, but in doing so, he ended up fouling Williams instead. It was a breakdown in timing and positioning—and in the end, TNT took full advantage.

The Hotshots had a golden opportunity to steal the game, but it slipped through their fingers. Rome Dela Rosa couldn’t find an open teammate on the inbound play. Paul Lee managed to shake off RR Pogoy but ran straight into the waiting arms of Kelly Williams. Ian Sangalang spotted a mismatch against Pogoy, but Calvin Oftana rotated just in time to tap the ball away. Dela Rosa was clearly looking for his veteran teammates and likely missed Zavier Lucero nearby—perhaps because the rookie was stationed too far from the basket.

With that, TNT escaped with the win and moved on to a familiar playoff showdown against Rain or Shine, while Ginebra and San Miguel prepare to clash in the other bracket.

Reavis became a convenient scapegoat because he fouled K-Will.

But the bigger problem is systemic: Victolero has struggled all year to manage his roster.

Jerrick Ahanmisi was once pegged as a breakout scorer but disappeared during the Philippine Cup. Paul Lee and Abueva saw reduced roles—not necessarily due to age, as Sangalang still logged heavy minutes. Magnolia burned through five imports this season—four of them in the Governors’ Cup—including NBA-caliber Glenn Robinson III. The team looked indecisive, stuck between leaning on its core, turning into SMC’s Rain or Shine, or developing new blood.

Which begs the question: does Victolero even want this juggling act?

He’s now in his longest coaching stretch with one franchise. But at some point, a shakeup may be inevitable. Jason Webb might get another chance. And the SMC coaching tree is deep—Johnny Abarrientos, Richard del Rosario, LA Tenorio, Chris Ross—guys with head coaching potential waiting in the wings.

Victolero is undeniably a good coach. But if he wants to fully evolve and control his destiny, he might need to step out of the SMC system.

The question is: will he wait until he’s pushed out, or will he take the leap on his own terms?