WATCH: Magnolia Hotshots 4th week of practice!

How Ian Sangalang recovers his old lethal form following a long layoff would be known in Magnolia’s PBA On Tour campaign.

Not in time, however, for Magnolia’s first pre-season outing against Blackwater Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

According to coach Chito Victolero, the lefty center has started to join the Hotshots’ practices and is set to start participating in full contact scrimmages next week.

“Nakakasama na siya sa amin, gradual practice na siya,” related Victolero Friday evening.

“Then next week sama na siya sa 5-on-5, kasama na siya sa full contact,” added Victolero. “Siguro after five, six games makakasama na namin siya sa actual games.”

Sangalang saw limited minutes in Magnolia’s first game in the last Governors’ Cup before being sidelined by what was later diagnosed as a thyroid illness that necessitated treatment and therapy.

Without its star 6-foot-7 slotman, Magnolia got only as far as the quarterfinals of the last import-laced, season-ending tournament.