Sparingly used guard Peter Alfaro had a very productive night for the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Thursday, January 16.
On a night Zavier Lucero emerged as Player of the Game, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero also made special mention of an unsung hero who equally deserves the honor.
Victolero was referring to backup guard Peter Alfaro.
After all, the sparingly used Alfaro played tremendously on both ends of the floor, putting up 14 points three rebounds, four assists and a steal without turning the ball over.
Peter Alfaro shows what he has got in Magnolia's all-important victory versus Phoenix in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Thursday, Jan. 16. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
In the opening period, he scored eight of his total output to keep the Hotshots afloat before the team got their bearing going late into the match.
“Also, Peter Alfaro deserves to be the Best Player. He has the heart of a lion because he’s a San Beda [alumnus],” Victolero said.
"That's why malaking factor 'yun kasi member of a champion team [in the NCAA].”
[ALSO READ: Zavier Lucero makes impact in Magnolia's 'do-or-die' game vs Phoenix]
Asked to elaborate Alfaro’s importance to the team, Victolero pointed out Alfaro's toughness and fearlessness.
“Very impressed with Peter: the way he defends in practice, the way he handles himself. The score, bonus na lang 'yun, eh,” said Victolero.
“But 'yung toughness ni Peter on both ends of the floor, 'yung kaniyang depensa and, at the same time, 'yung offense niya, hindi siya natatakot. I think 'yun ang nakita ko sa kanya, na we can rely on him on this kind of situation when our backs are against the wall.”
Magnolia remained in the hunt for a playoff spot in the mid-season joust. But things are only expected to be tougher since their fate is also hinged on the result of the other teams desperately chasing a playoff berth.
In this final push to salvage a topsy-turvy campaign, Victolero will need all hands on deck.
The Hotshots will tangle with Eastern next after a nine-day break.
“The only thing we can control is our game. We just need to take care of the games we need to play,” Victolero said.
“We need to play hard for Eastern. We have a lot of time to prepare. Kung ano man ang chance na natitira sa'min, we’ll grab it.”