By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

WITH teams boasting of talented big men seemingly holding sway right now in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the Magnolia Hotshots said they are ready for the challenge heading into the new season of Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

Now playing under the Magnolia brand after three years bannering Purefoods Star, the Hotshots said they have been preparing hard leading up to Season 43 of the local pro league so as to be on better footing against teams with good front line like the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and TNT KaTropa, which figured prominently in the finals picture last season.

“We expect to continue to have our work cut out for us against teams with good big men like San Miguel and Ginebra as well as Talk ’N Text. But that won’t stop us from competing,” said Hotshots coach Chito Victolero in an interview with BusinessWorld during the team’s presentation under Magnolia early this week.

“We have been preparing our players and hopefully we stay healthy to be able to compete. We are trying to give our big men the right mind-set and at the same time not forgetting other facets of our game. I trust my players and I am very positive that we can compete with anybody,” he added.

Longtime Hotshots player Marc Pingris also shared the same sentiment of his coach, underscoring that he trusts their ability to hold their own against the front line of other teams.

“We are ready to go into battle. We have been preparing hard and my teammates are showing that they ready to perform for the team,” said Mr. Pingris.

Joining Mr. Pingris in the Hotshots front line in the upcoming season are Rodney Brondial, Kyle Pascual, Aldrech Ramos, Rafi Reavis, Ian Sangalang and rookie Robbie Herndon.

Last season, the Hotshots reached the semifinals in each of the three conferences.

The PBA opens Season 43 on Dec. 17.

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