GAMES TOMORROW
(PhilSports Arena, Pasig)
5 p.m. – Converge vs. Terrafirma
7:30 p.m. – Phoenix vs. Rain or Shine
AMID an up-and-down campaign in the team’s title-retention bid, Meralco is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
As if to prove that, the Bolts ran over the erstwhile streaking NLEX Road Warriors last Sunday night.
That its 108-92 beat down of NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup can very well be the spunk—the momentum builder—Meralco needs.
“You want to be playoff-ready. Madaming things that are happening. We had three new guys who weren’t part of our championship run and there were also winners, ball-dominant players like Kurt (Reyson), AB (Aaron Black), and CJ (Cansino). You got guys injured. I think the schedule didn’t help us out also where we have to represent the PBA and we’ve had to move,” Bolts coach Luigi Trillo said. “It’s nobody’s fault. They’ve had to adjust the schedule.
“We went through tough teams like TNT and Magnolia. Parang we were put on our backs. Sometimes, you look at people and how they respond in adversity in terms of how they go. There’s a lot of character in the room. So, maganda rin ito,” he added.
The victory not only halted the Road Warriors’ six-game winning run that pulled them down to 6-2 and derailed their entry to the quarterfinals of the season-ending tourney but more importantly stoked Meralco to a second straight triumph and an even 5-5 mark.
Skipper Chris Newsome collected 21 points, two rebounds, and five assists for the Bolts who also drew 20 markers spiked by a three-pointer and a four from rookie wingman CJ Cansino.
Bong Quinto also had 18 points, three boards, and three dimes, Chris Banchero with 16 and Cliff Hodge returned from a one-game ban with 12 and five in Meralco’s encore to a 103-85 zapping of Terrafirma last week.
Robert Bolick fired 22 points for NLEX while JB Bahio, Kevin Alas, Javee Mocon, and Dominic Fajardo got 14, 14, 12, and 11 as the Road Warriors failed to follow up an 88-83 decision over the Converge FiberXers last Friday.
Trillo is now hoping his charges will be galvanized by their big win leading up to a titanic duel with the Ginebra Kings on Friday, May 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It prepares you for the playoffs, tough games like this. So, we’re looking forward to Ginebra. We know how good Ginebra is,” he said. “We know how ready they are. Sometimes, those type of games will get you playoff-ready.
“In a series, I always feel you have to win back-to-back. You’re not going to win a series if you don’t win back-to-back. Sana mag-tuloy-tuloy.”
After winning it all last year, the harder mission is seemingly defending the diadem but the Bolts are fast proving they have gotten back the grit and passion in them.
