MERALCO, which settled for runner-up honors anew in the recent PBA Governors Cup finals to Ginebra, faces slim pickings in the pro league draft on May 15 with no first-round pick.
Coach Norman Black yesterday said he and management are set to sit down to tackle their plans for the coming draft.
“I haven’t really sat down with (team manager) Paolo Trillo and the management about the draft. I know we only have a second-round pick. We don’t have a first-round pick so we’re a little bit limited on what we can get in the draft this year,” Black said. “We’ll probably sit down about it in the next couple of days to figure out how we’re going to handle the draft.”
Among those likely to join the draft are Jeremiah Gray, who is recovering from an ACL injury, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Brickman.
The three highly touted cagers were ruled ineligible last year but are expected to make it this year after the PBA relaxed its rules on Fil-foreign applicants.
La Salle and Gilas Pilipinas prized center Justin Baltazar and Arellano University counterpart Justin Arana lead the possible locals making the jump to the pros that also includes guard James Kwekuteye of San Beda University, Ateneo’s Tyler Tio and Gian Mamuyac, forward Shaun Ildefonso of National University, former Green Archers guard Encho Serrano, former College of St. Benilde wingman Justin Gutang, Letran forward Jeo Ambohot, and former La Salle sniper Jollo Go.
Black also said that despite falling short anew to Ginebra in their last Big Dance, his charges fought the good fight.
“There are 12 teams in the league, right? They (Bolts) did make it to the finals, and they gave Ginebra a good fight. It’s disappointing and frustrating but at the same time you just have to pick yourself up and move on,” Black said.
“It’s hard to do at this time but you also have to thank the Lord for all the blessings and that’s the way I really look at it,” he added.
Black spoke a few days after the Bolts absorbed a 92-103 loss last Friday in Game 6 of their best-of-seven finals duel with the Kings for the PBA Governors Cup crown.
Meralco bowed to Ginebra 2-4 in the race-to-four title series and wound up as bridesmaid for the fourth time in the last five editions of the season-ending tourney.
Boosted by American-born Panamanian import Tony Bishop, the Bolts finished with a 7-4 card in the eliminations and made short work of San Miguel Beer in the quarterfinals.
Meralco’s resolve was tested by eliminations pacesetter Magnolia, but the Bolts pulled off a semifinals triumph 3-2 to advance to the finals.
Black’s team took a 2-1 lead but the Kings, behind Best Import of the Conference Justin Brownlee and Best Player of the Conference Scottie Thompson, won the next three games to end Meralco’s dreams of winning it all for the first time in the pro league.
