BOLTS AIM TO QUASH BATANG PIER’S HOPES

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ALTHOUGH it is on a seven-game slide, GlobalPort knows all is not lost in its bid to advance to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

“Maybe it will take one win for us to make a run of it,” said Batang Pier coach Junel Baculi.

The time for GlobalPort to make its move is Wednesday when it tangles with a Meralco crew which has far loftier goals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts aim to cut short their own skid at two and add more separation between them, ninth-running Barako Bull and cellar-dwelling GlobalPort and coach Ryan Gregorio said only minor adjustments are needed by his players.

“Small details need to be fine-tuned. Tough losses against San Mig Coffee and Ginebra, but no need to doubt. We only lost by an average of two possessions,” said Gregorio.

“If we just stay disciplined in our offensive execution and strengthen our resolve on defense we can come back on track.”

The tight jockeying for positions by the rest of the field is also giving Gregorio an additional motivational tool for his charges.

“Things are heating up and the race to the top is getting tighter. Competitors relish situations like these,” he stated. “We will do our best to fight and give us a legitimate crack at snatching a victory.”

Because of its tailspin, bigger tinkerings are seemingly needed within GlobalPort as it enters the last five games of its elims campaign.

Should it emerge triumphant in at least four of those, it could make it among the top eight advancing to the next round.

Mainly, it’s all about believing and not giving up, said Baculi. “Try and try until it’s over,” he stated. “(Our) target is the last slot in the quarterfinals.”

The Batang Pier, who have not won since Feb. 15, were seemingly on the verge of snapping out of their rut after leading Air21 by as many as 14 points in their meeting last Saturday. But they got outscored, 10-28, in the privotal third quarter and eventually lost via a 72-87 count.

Getting its bearings back should be easier for Meralco.

Despite falling behind by 21 points early, the Bolts put up one gallant stand against Ginebra, pulling within 81-83 and even having a shot at tying it all up at 84 with the game’s last possession. But Chris Ross’ triple try fell just short.

Eric Dawson was solid against the Kings with 31 points, 22 rebounds and five steals and the rest of the Bolts should rally around him, according to Gregorio.

“Dawson is playing steady and above-par basketball,” noted Gregorio. “The biggest challenge now is how to get the locals to contribute. Macmac (Cardona), Ronjay (Buenafe) and Sunday (Salvacion) must be in sync offensively to get us to score in the 90’s.”

What should give GlobalPort a confidence boost is the fact it only took a buzzer-beating triple by Salvacion before Meralco could escape with a 90-89 decision the first time they met. (SB)

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