-
-
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
-
-
-
-
04
-
16
-
2024
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
16
2024
MERALCO has been stung hard by another last-second shot and coach Norman Black is not one to let the bitter lesson go to waste.
“Our defense versus their three-point shooters will be our main challenge, as they are one of the best three-point shooting teams in the league,” said Black, referring to Phoenix which the Bolts face Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The Fuel Masters are looking for a win that would not only snap them out of a two-game slide but also lift them up into eighth spot.
Meralco is aiming to deny Phoenix and at the same time move up to a share of third-running spot.
From there, Black hopes his team will go on and gain inclusion among the top eight teams advancing to the playoffs following the 11-game eliminations. But first things first.
“At 2-2 we are almost in a must-win situation,” noted Black. “A win is important (for us) to stay out of the bottom four.”
The Bolts would not have been in such a situation if not for a 79-81 loss to Alaska last Wednesday, brought about by clutch three-pointers from the Aces’ RJ Jazul and Chris Banchero in the dying seconds.
The defeat was eerily similar to Meralco’s first one, an 84-86 setback to Blackwater due to Denok Miranda’s
twisting drive.
It is his team’s latest defeat that gnaws at Black more, however, explaining his stern reminder to his charges now that they are ranged against a Phoenix squad led by such three-point threats as JC Intal, Matthew Wright, Simon Enciso, John Wilson and Chico Lanete.
It is not on defense alone the Bolts must concentrate and that’s where the likes of Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Reynel Hugnatan, Ed Daquioag and Joseph Yeo must come in.
“We just have to do a better job at the endgame and pull out victories,” stressed Black.
Follow Us
Other Stories:
Recent Stories:
Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.