#SentiSanJuan: Pistolero's homecoming brings memories to the Knights' faithful

Lost in San Juan's thriller over Pampanga last February 28 was the homecoming of sorts by a familiar name from the Knights' glorious past.

Dressed in green long sleeves was current Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero, who was watching game one of the North semifinals just behind the bench of the reigning MPBL National Champions as Mike Ayonayon bailed them out at the final bounce to remain unbeaten at home.

It was something worth cherishing for Pistolero, as he vividly remembers the three seasons he has with San Juan in the old Metropolitan Basketball Association, as he was just a year removed from winning his first-ever PBA title with the Hotshots in the Governor's Cup.

"Of course di ko makakalimutan," Victolero said on his stint with San Juan, as he took a break from Magnolia's buildup to the new season of the PBA in which they will play San Miguel on the opening Sunday.

One of the first signings of the then-expansion franchise of then-Mayor Jinggoy Estrada when they entered the MBA in 1999, Victolero was pried away from Manila a season ago, as he was teammates with Alex Compton and Rommel Adducul in the Metrostars in the inaugural season.

Although he was down the pecking order with current Knights deputy Gherome Ejercito at the point, he solidified his role as a spark off the bench, and with his departure the following year, he get the starting nod for Philip Cezar as they delivered an MBA title in front of their own crowd at the old San Juan Gym.

To him, the passion brought by a raucous home crowd was the most prominent thing that he missed, especially they played way before the current Arena was built, where they have been a nomad in their first season before having a home of their own in 2000.

"I'm still young nung panahon na yun," Victolero admits. "Actually we're very motivated before because of the crowd. Yung home court crowd."

"Masarap manood kasi, talagang mafifeel yung atmosphere ng home court," he said.

After his last season with the Knights in 2001, Victolero moved to the PBA when he was drafted 13th in the 2002 draft for Sta. Lucia, and played three years for the Realtors before transitioning to coaching.

For him, what made him reminisce his time more was the bond that got them together on and off the court, something that the current generation had.

"Because of yung chemistry ng team, we treat each other as a family talaga, and of course yung pag-treat sa amin ni Sen. Jinggoy na di iba sa pamilya niya," he said.

"That's why I think we're successful because of the chemistry," he added.

Coach Chito bared that he had already been to their home games in the MPBL since last season, thanks to his best friend in head coach Randy Alcantara in whom he know well ever since their days in Mapua, where the latter was the assistant to former in the Cardinals while creating the foundation of the so-called Red Robins program.

And for him, Alcantara is a perfect fit for the job, as he was the ideal bridge from the original era to the current generation of the Knights.

"He knows kung ano yung mga sikreto ng pagiging successful ng team," he added. "And I think ginagawa lahat ni coach Randy [Alcantara] yun para maging successuful ulit yung kung ano magawa namin before and magawa ulit ng San Juan."

Photo credits: Harold Biado (headline), San Juan team manager Jun Usman, ABS-CBN Sports (screen grab from YouTube)