Like splitting with a GF: Coach tells Star to move on from Game 3 heartbreak

Star head coach Chito Victolero (R) compares their Game 3 loss to a break-up.
Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – The Star Hotshots have suffered some truly painful breaks in their past two games against San Miguel Beer in the semifinals of the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup.

In Game 2, they saw Paul Lee's potential go-ahead floater misfire in their final possession. In Game 3, they led 110-108 with 13 seconds left, forced Chris Ross into a tough runner, only for SMB import Charles Rhodes to get the offensive rebound, and for Marcio Lassiter to drain the step-back, banked in triple for the win.

"Parang sinwerte sila sa bola," said Star coach Chito Victolero of the Beermen in the wake of their gutting 110-111 loss on Wednesday at the Big Dome.

"I think para sa kanila 'yun. Siguro, hindi naman papasok 'yun kung 'di para sa kanila. Andoon 'yung depensa, andoon lahat – ultimo challenge ni Justin (Melton), andoon," he added.

"Kaso, pumasok pa rin. So para sa San Miguel talaga."

Victolero insists they are keeping a positive mindset despite being down 1-2 in the best-of-five semifinals series. He wants his players to have a sense of urgency for Friday's Game 4, of course, but believes that they can make the adjustments needed in order to claw their way back.

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