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Blackwater Elite 92
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Meralco Bolts 90
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Blackwater hopes to end rocky start, shoots for first win vs Meralco

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With his Blackwater team off to yet another rocky start, coach Leo Isaac knows what must be done in order to notch a breakthrough win in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup.

Keep on trying.

“Again, we will give our very best to get a win,” said Isaac on the eve of his Elite’s collision with the Meralco Bolts Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bolts themselves got their campaign starting off on the wrong foot when they absorbed an 85-101 loss to defending champion San Miguel Beer last Wednesday.

For sure, Meralco coach Norman Black’s charges would want to get on track big-time and should be snorting fire against Isaac’s wards, who dropped their first
two games against NLEX and Alaska.

One thing that should heighten the Elite’s sense of urgency is the fact the game against the Bolts kick off a tough stretch in which they would tackle the Beermen and other pre-tournament favorites Rain or Shine and Talk N Text.

Isaac wants his team to focus on the task at hand, however, and believes his players have what it takes to pull the rug from under Meralco.

“Konting maturity na lang, konting diin pa sa endgame,” said Isaac, pointing out the El;ite’s two previous losses took shape only after they faded in the stretch.

“Kailangan iyung intensity hindi hanggang isa o dalawang quarters lang,” added Isaac. “Kailangan buong game, the entire 48 minutes, kumakayod.”

Basically the same thing happened with Meralco in its opening game, battling SMB on even terms for majority of the game before practically buckling in the face of tremendous pressure from the Beermen.

This time could be different for the Bolts, though, what with the Baser Amer coming in to join the likes of fellow rookie Chris Newsome and team stalwarts Cliff Hodge, Jared Dillinger and Gary David, plus veteran Jimmy Alapag, in leading their charge.

Newsome was awesome in his pro debut with 14 points, highlighted by a slam against former league MVP Arwind Santos, to go with seven rebounds and four assists.

Blackwater also has a newcomer who could make an immediate impact in Amer’s San Beda teammate, Arthur dela Cruz, who has been practicing with the team since last Sunday.

The 6-4 southpaw forward now joins hands with Reil Cervantes, JP Erram, Jason Ballesteros, Raphy Reyes and rookies Keith Agovida and Jason Melano in trying to give Blackwater that breakthrough win.

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