Hester thrilled to join Hotshots

Antonio Hester is thrilled to play for a contending team in Magnolia when he makes his second tour of duty in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Hester confirmed to Daily Tribune that he will be arriving on Tuesday morning from a stint with the Zamboanga Valientes in the Asean Basketball League.

He said he is planning to hit the ground running and join the practice right away in preparation for the Hotshots' game against Phoenix LPG.

The Hotshots have been struggling as they lost their first three games in the early stretch of the Governors' Cup.

With that, the management and coaching staff was forced to send home Eric McCree, the former National Basketball Association G League standout who could only produce an average of 12.5 points in his last two games with the Hotshots.

Now, Hester will be coming on board and vowed to provide the same level of excitement he brought in when he played for Terrafirma last year.

"Every game was a highlight moment for me because that was my first season in the PBA," Hester said in an online interview.

In last season's Governors' Cup, Hesler averaged 28.3 points while shooting a steady 54.2 percent from the field to go along with 12.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals.

The burly but shifty Hester, however, could only lead the Dyip to two victories in 11 games.

This time, Hester looks forward rejoining a Hotshots team that has been a consistent playoff performer.

"I'm very grateful and thankful for this opportunity," Hester said.

"I look forward joining the team and hopefully, fight for the championship."