Magnolia Coach Chito Victolero Eyes Rain or Shine Trio—But Is He Staying Beyond the Philippine Cup?
A surprising trade rumor emerged recently as veteran sports insider Snow Badua revealed in his live session that Magnolia Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero is interested in acquiring three young and promising players from Rain or Shine—Jhonard Clarito, Adrian Nocum, and Felix Lemetti.
The interest in these three Elasto Painters is understandable. Clarito has proven to be a tenacious two-way player, capable of providing energy, defense, and hustle plays that align well with Magnolia’s defensive identity. Nocum, a tough and versatile wing, fits the Hotshots' system perfectly with his ability to guard multiple positions while contributing offensively. Meanwhile, Lemetti has displayed flashes of being a solid floor general with a promising outside shot, something that could be valuable for a Magnolia squad that still seeks additional depth in the backcourt.
However, Snow raised a crucial question: Why is this trade interest coming from Coach Chito Victolero when his future with Magnolia beyond the upcoming Philippine Cup remains uncertain?
Victolero has been at the helm of the Hotshots since 2016, leading them to a championship in the 2018 Governors’ Cup and multiple finals appearances. But with Magnolia failing to capture another title in recent years, speculations have grown that the upcoming Philippine Cup could be Victolero’s last chance to lead the team to another championship—or risk parting ways with the franchise.
If this is indeed his final conference with the Hotshots, it raises questions about how much influence he should have in shaping the roster for the long-term. Would Magnolia management be willing to pull the trigger on a trade for three young players when the coaching situation remains uncertain? Or would they rather wait and assess the direction of the team under a potential new head coach before making any significant moves?
Rain or Shine, for its part, has shown a commitment to developing its young core, and it remains unclear whether they are even willing to part ways with Clarito, Nocum, and Lemetti. Any potential deal would likely require Magnolia to give up key assets, possibly including veteran players or future draft picks, to entice the Elasto Painters into a trade.
As the PBA offseason continues, this rumored trade talk will be something to monitor. But more than just the potential acquisition of Rain or Shine’s young trio, the bigger storyline may be whether Victolero himself will still be calling the shots for Magnolia after the Philippine Cup.
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