TEXTERS WARY OF BOLTS SURPRISE
TALK N Text is enjoying one joyous run in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup, but coach Norman Black is not about to relax.
Not with a dangerous Meralco Bolts crew next up for the Tropang Texters Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
A fifth win in as many outings will solidify TNT’s hold on the lead and its immediate goal of clinching a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals following the nine-game eliminations.
Meralco, on the other hand, wants to stretch its own run to three games that will give it a share of second-running spot, so Texters coach Norman Black knows his team could be in for a very rough night.
“Against Meralco the goal is to continue to play solid basketball on both offense and defense,” said Black .
For Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, the feeling is mutual.
“They are hot. They have been playing well on both ends of the floor. Critical for us to disrupt their rhythm offensively,” said Gregorio.
Richard Howell has been a monster for TNT despite his lack of a dependable outside shot. Scoring mostly on follow-ups and jump hooks the 23-year-old banger has been averaging 26.25 points and 20.5 rebounds with 2.25 steals and 2.0 assists thrown in.
Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo have been chief among the local Texters providing support for Howell, with the first two also ably orchestrating plays and the latter also helping stretch the defense with timely snipings.
“We must be able to handle Jayson and Jimmy. They have been doing a tremendous job controlling the tempo,” noted Gregorio.
Meralco has its own stocked arsenal.
Brian Butch hurts the opponent both inside and outside, draining the occasional triple and using his 6-10, 240-lb frame to muscle his way in the shaded areas. As a result, he has chalked up impressive numbers of 32.67 points and 20.67 rebounds.
Gary David and Reynel Hugnatan have also been consistently contributing for Gregorio and the Bolts will be welcoming back Jared Dillinger, who missed their last two games due to an unspecified illness.
“Concerns would be on how to contain Brian Butch and also defend their three-point shooting. Jared Dillinger will also be back so we will have to do a good defensive job versus his penetrations,” noted Black.
It is also on making the stops that Gregorio is most concerned with.
“The best way to stop them is to focus on defense. We cannot battle them squarely if it is just offense. We must dictate the flow of the game with defense as our strongest weapon,” said Gregorio. (NC)
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