After sweeping the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, the Star Hotshots brace for a tougher battle ahead as they take on the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals.
Star head coach Chito Victolero said he would have wanted a longer break to be better prepared against the Beermen whom they will face on Saturday.
“Ang concern ko lang sana matagalan pa start ng semis. Hindi ko pa alam schedule pero we need to come up with a good game plan. Kailangan kasi dito sa San Miguel mahaba-habang preparation,” he said.
“It’s going to be a tough series against SMB. We’ll expect more grinding games because of their experience, because of their solid line up from their frontline composed of June Mar Fajardo, Charles Rhodes and Arwind Santos and their magnificent guards. We need to come up with a solid defensive scheme and proper preparation sa series na ito.”
Under Victolero, Star came within a win of reaching the Philippine Cup finals earlier this year, but fell short against Barangay Ginebra in a Game Seven.
Now that they will clash with another sister team in the final four, Star is raring to finally come out victorious this time.
“Kailangan lang namin ma-improve yung teamwork and chemistry on both ends of the court, especially champion team yung kalaban namin.”
