03/08/2021
Healthier, better Ian Sangalang has bigger role to play in Magnolia’s title bid
By Rey Joble
Unknown to many, Ian Sangalang, the Magnolia Hotshots’ main man in the middle, was playing hurt the entire bubble tournament last year.
With resident star big man Marc Pingris sidelined by an injury coupled by Sangalang's nagging back injury , the Hotshots were a walking wounded squad and that led to the team’s early elimination in the playoffs.
With Pingris, one of the greatest big men ever to play for the old Purefoods franchise, already retired, Sangalang had certainly became the Hotshots’ best big man and head coach Chito Victolero acknowledged his value prior to the start of the season.
“I think he has improved a lot in terms of maturity, lalung-lalo na yung laro niya. Alam na niya kung gaano siya ka-importante at gaano kalaki yung role niya sa amin. I’ve talked to him. If you are healthy for the whole season or sa whole conference, we have a big chance,” Victolero told PBA Rush in a telephone interview.
“Kasi, in the bubble (last year), he’s injured. Inilulusot lang namin every game. Hindi na nga siya halos nagi-ensayo because of his back injury. Pero kahit ganun yung sitwasyon niya, he contributed a lot. Ano pa kaya kung healthy siya, sabi ko nga sa kanya.”
A healthier, better Sangalang showed up at the start of the season for the Hotshots and that resulted to the team’s rousing start in the PBA Philippine Cup. Magnolia has won its first four games and vaulted its way to the solo lead.
Now reunited with his long-time college teammate Calvin Abueva, who was acquired by the team in the off season in trade with guard Chris Banchero, to join forces up front, Sangalang got the much needed help to go up against the big guys in the league.
The Hotshots also have old reliable Rafi Reavis and energy guy Jackson Corpuz, two role players who could provide the support for the starting frontliners, but when it comes to taking charge, Sangalang is the most dependable among Magnolia’s big men.
“Naiintindihan niya yung role niya. He’s the only guy in the middle na puwede naming puntahan. Alam niya yung role niya. The other supporting cast like Calvin, Jack, and Rafi, they’re also big help for Ian. Sana rin maging healthy itong mga ito kasi malaking bagay yung supporting cast niya,” said Victolero.
So far, so good as the 6-foot-7 pride of Pampanga has become the most consistent big men of the squad. He has averaged 16.75 points per game to lead his team’s production.
“Malaki na talaga yung na-improve ng game niya, hindi lang sa game niya but also the maturity, yung preparation niya, kasi alam niya talaga na malaki yung role niya,” said Victolero. “I’m very proud kay Ian. Yung nag-start akong mag-coach dito sa Magnolia, ang laki ng improvement niya, sobrang taas ng nilalaro niya. He has established himself as one of the best big men in the PBA. Hindi lang siguro nakikita ng iba, but in our team, we considered him as our franchise player in the middle. We want Ian to become our anchor sa depensa at opensa sa poste.”
Sangalang is still at the peak of his career and Victolero believes he still has a lot of upside in his game.
“Gusto pa namin tulungan si Ian to improve pa. Batang-bata pa ito eh. I think parang 28 lang yata yang si Ian eh. Marami pa siyang matututunan. Marami pa siyang maitutulong sa franchise. Hopefully, gumaling pa ng gumaling, matulungan yung mga teammates niya para makuha namin yung goal namin,” added Victolero.