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MENTAL TOUGHNESS KEY IN BOLTS-ACES DUEL
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Meralco and Alaska finished the elims with identical cards but didn’t need to break the deadlock then.
They break it now in a best-of-three showdown for a slot in the PBA Philippine Cup Final Four.
It could only be a battle with each side raring to draw first blood in the short series where mental toughness, more than physical, could be the key.
On one corner are the Aces who are raring to break new ground with new stars Calvin Abueva, Cyrus Baguio and Jayvee Casio, and on the other are the Bolts who are in chase of a breakthrough with a cast led by Sol Mercado, Mac Cardona and Ronjay Buenafe.
They clash in the series opener at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We know what Meralco is capable of,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
“They have guys who can push the ball and post up. They have explosive guards. They also have bigs who are tailor fit to the system they run,” Trillo added.
The youthful Alaska mentor, however, sounded unperturbed, saying they prepared well for the battle.
“It’s gonna be the team that can dictate the tempo of the game,” he said.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, meanwhile, said they would be a team on a mission.
“We have achieved our modest goal of finishing fourth (in the elims). Now, we have raised the bar and would like to enter the Final Four,” Gregorio said.
“It’s not going to be easy but we are definitely ready,” he added.
Scrutinizing Alaska’s game, the Bolts are convinced the best way to pull through is to execute well on both ends.
“You cannot make mistakes against Alaska because they will pounce on it. They lead the league in turnover points and we are aware of that,” Gregorio said.
Gregorio pointed to Abueva as one particular player whom they should stop.
“His activity on the floor is amazing. His motor is relentless. Our success will depend on how we can slow him down. We will do all the legal ways to stymie his contributions,” Gregorio said.
Needless to say, Mercado is the marked man in the Meralco team.
The Fil-Am guard led the Bolts to a fourth-place finish in the elims while leading the league in points (19.2) and in assists (6.5).
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EDITORS' PICK
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