There are a lot of interesting storylines for each team as we open another PBA season on Sunday, March 8. Several ESPN5.com writers covering the league examine and look at the different PBA teams, highlighting the storyline for each, heading into the 2020 Philippine Cup.
MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS
Additions: Jackson Corpuz, Aris Dionisio
Subtractions: Bam Gamalinda, Aldrech Ramos
Holdovers: Justin Melton, Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon, PJ Simon, Ian Sangalang, Michael Calisaan, Mark Barroca, Marc Pingris, Rome dela Rosa, Chris Banchero, Mon Abundo, Kyle Pascual
The lowdown
It was a relatively quiet offseason for Magnolia, but the few moves that it did make over the break could possibly make all the difference in a wide-open race to the top this year.
These weren't necessarily massive swings, but acquiring Jackson Corpuz for Aldrech Ramos and selecting Aris Dionisio with the 9th overall pick in the Rookie Draft were certainly not lateral moves, too, as coach Chito Victolero believes that adding two defense-savvy forwards would add some much-needed ceiling to their roster.
Magnolia didn't need to make any big splashes, anyway, since its retained core is still fully capable of making a deep run in this year's playoffs even it only managed one runner-up finish and two quarterfinals exits last season.
"We introduced new concepts, but there aren't too many," Victolero said in Filipino. "We're still relying on the same system, which focuses on us being a good defensive team. On offense, we added a few wrinkles but it's still about the same system that we ran in the past few years."
Magnolia allowed the least points per contest (89.5) last season, and teams shot league-low numbers of 39.7 percent from the field and 29.3 percent on 3-pointers when faced against an unforgiving Hotshots defense.
But the team has been missing a couple of frontcourt pieces and has yet to practice as a complete unit.
Dionisio is still under contract in the MPBL with the Manila Stars, while Raffy Reavis is still recovering from appendicitis and is expected to miss the first week of the Philippine Cup. These absences, though, don't dampen Victolero's optimism.
"Just a few more adjustments to be made for the opening. We were able to do what we wanted to do in the offseason, and we reviewed everything offensively and defensively," he said. "We're positive. We'll just prepare carefully and extensively."
Biggest question heading into the season: Does Magnolia really have enough to finally get over the hump?
There's a pervading sense that the Hotshots already have what they need (for now) entering the season, but whether that translates into something bigger and bountiful in a year without the usual barricade posed by June Mar Fajardo and San Miguel has yet to be seen.
"We all know June Mar is a big factor. He dominates the game. He's a five-time MVP going into his sixth. Right now, it's an even field for anybody," he said. "Of course we didn't want that to happen to June Mar - we're also praying for his quick recovery - but all teams' chances are better, including ours."
Without Fajardo in the fold, there's a chance that the Hotshots won't have to deal anymore with the team that ousted them in the last two years in the All-Filipino conference.
Magnolia, of course, will have to hope that it consistently bares its defensive identity night in and night out, but offense will still be a concern: the Hotshots were bottom-three last year in points per game (90.6), and shooting from the field (41.4 percent) and from long range (30.6 percent).
A full break to completely integrate Chris Banchero certainly helps on that end, and the aforementioned additions of Corpuz and Dionisio could add a little something extra, but Victolero circled back to defense as the main driving force for the squad.
"We're still relying on defense. This team can score. Hopefully we just tighten and improve our defense further. The offense will come," Victolero assured. "I hope we did our preparations right so we are able to execute in the season."