BOLTS, EXPRESS AIM TO POWER UP

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MERALCO has just proven its mettle by snapping out of an alarming funk.

It will now be Air21’s turn to show its character when the Express and Bolts collide 5:45 p.m. Wednesday in the PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup at the PhilSports Arena.

Meralco is seeking not only a followup to its breakthrough 88-87 win over Alaska last Sunday but also to get into the top eight teams advancing to the playoffs.

“Still on survival mode,” said Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio on the eve of the match.

“We got a much-needed win, a big morale-boosting win, against Alaska. But since our hole is so deep we must keep on winning.”

Air21, on the other hand, has lost two of its last three games, the last a 91-102 defeat at the hands of Talk N Text last Monday, and is now hard-pressed to keep its spot among the top four going to the quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat advantage each.

For the Express to rediscover the form that netted them a franchise-record 2-0 start in the conference they must again put in the extra work and shrug off their listless game not only against the Tropang Texters but also in a 76-84 loss to Barangay Ginebra Tuesday last week.

Indeed, Gregorio plans to make Air21 bleed for every point.

“I thought our defense, which was absent the first four games, bailed us out of trouble.  After allowing 100 points per game we limited our last opponent to just 87,”said Gregorio.

“With a badly-depleted roster we have to set our minds into making stops during the course of the game.”

What makes Gregorio upbeat despite the continued absence of center Rabeh Al-Hussaini and the day-to-day status of Jared Dillinger due to a bad back is the presence of back-to-form Mike Cortez and the rock-solid games steadily being dished out by Cliff Hodge.

In his first game back following a four-month layoff, Cortez scored 19 points and issued five dimes against Alaska while Hodge has been averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per outing.

With Mario West continuing to be a pillar of strength with 26 points and 10 boards per game and the likes of Reynel Hugnatan, Gary David and Rey Guevarra doing their share, Air21 could be in for a tough night.

That’s not saying it could not be the other way around.

Dominique Sutton has also been consistent for the Express with norms of 24.8 points and 13.8 rebounds. Ditto for the 41-year-old Asi Taulava, who has been defying Father Time with 17.0 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.

For coach Franz Pumaren’s charges to shred Meralco’s defense, the likes of Joseph Yeo, Aldrech Ramos and Mark Borboran should chip in their ample share, as well as Macmac Cardona and the comebacking Rico Villanueva.

Just three days after scoring 13 points in a 91-88 win over Alaska, Cardona was held to only three against TNT, while in his first game back from an assortment of injuries and as an Express Villanueva went scoreless in only three minutes of action versus TNT. (NC)

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