ANTIPOLO—More than its offensive firepower or its defensive tenacity, it was Magnolia's team chemistry that keyed the Hotshots' run to the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup crown.

The Hotshots ended a four-year title drought on Wednesday at Ynares Center, defeating the Alaska Aces in Game 6, 102-86, to wrap up their best-of-7 series, 4-2. It was an impressive triumph for Magnolia, as it raced out to a 12-0 lead over the Aces and never let up.

Afterward, coach Chito Victolero and the Magnolia players touted their team chemistry as the crucial factor in their breakthrough championship, which came after the Hotshots reached the semifinals of every conference last year then advanced to the all-Filipino finals this season.

"It's all about the personnel. Siguro pinagsama-sama lang namin ang mga gusto naming players. And then binuo namin ang chemistry," said Victolero, who won his first title as a head coach. "Hindi overnight ito."

According to the youthful head coach, it was a journey that began when they kept reaching the semifinals of the conferences, only to fall short each time. They made a breakthrough in the Philippine Cup, where they reached the championship round only to fall to San Miguel Beer in five games.

Through it all, the Hotshots kept working on their team chemistry. They have a core group of veterans such as Mark Barroca, PJ Simon, and Rafi Reavis, who have been together for almost half a decade, and relatively new guys such as Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon who joined just in the past two years.

In the Governors' Cup finals, they worked together as a seamless unit, and everything came together in Game 6 where they never gave Alaska a chance.

"It boils down to this game. Talagang sobrang proud ako sa mga players ko," said Victolero.

Barroca, who earned finals MVP honors, noted that their bond as a team was so strong that it even extended to Romeo Travis, who joined them just this conference.

"Si Romeo nga, ngayon pa lang nakasama namin, di ba? ’Pag sinisigawan kami, OK lang sa amin. So maganda talaga ang chemistry. Doon mo makikita na ’yung chemistry andoon na talaga eh," said Barroca.

"Parang tinatanggap na lang kung ano binabato sa'yo. Papagalitan ako, OK lang. Tanggap ko naman kasi may mali talaga."

Travis, for his part, could only express his gratitude at being welcomed with open arms.

"It's just a great feeling to win it with this group of guys. We have a great group of guys. Like I said before, they accepted me as one of their own, and I'm just thankful. I can't say anything else but I'm thankful," said Travis, who put up 32 points and 17 rebounds in their title-clinching win.

Victolero stressed that this team chemistry involves not just the players, but even the coaching staff and their support staff.

"Parang kami ditong barkada. Isa sa pinaka-gusto ko dito sa team na 'to na nabuo namin, 'yung core na 'to, 'yung chemistry. Talagang grabe, halos magkakapatid kami dito," he said.

"Isa sa pinakamasaya at pinaka-grabeng samahan na nasamahan ko, even noong player pa ako. Isa na 'to siguro sa best na team na nasamahan ko, in terms of chemistry."

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