Hotshots, Bolts hope to hit stride
The Star Hotshots and the Meralco Bolts will be both out to ease pressure as they clash in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Both are in a tight situation in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup with the Hotshots in a rollercoaster ride in their first five games under new coach Jason Webb and the Bolts much worse as they’ve yet to hit good stride.
Such is the case for the Bolts that coach Norman Black would rather let their game do the talking now.
Black and his troops are the only remaining winless team in the tourney.
After a fifth straight loss at the hands of Barangay Ginebra Tuesday, Black politely declined an interview, saying he didn’t have something new to say.
The Bolts had a two-hour bull session after the Ginebra game, and they surely hope to come out better from that huddle.
At 0-5, the Bolts have to start winning now if they’re to salvage a spot in the post-elims play.
The Hotshots have been blowing hot and cold, thus, miring in the lower half of the chart at 2-3.
The 2013-14 grand slam champs certainly have the manpower but they have yet to be consistent on things they want to do.
James Yap and PJ Simon remain as the team’s lead guns averaging 14.4 and 13.4 points, respectively.
Justin Melton and Mark Barroca are the two other Hotshots averaging double figures with 10.2 and 10.0 points a game.
For the Bolts, Gary David, rookie Chris Newsome and the comebacking Rabeh Al-HUssaini lead the way with 20.2, 11.8 and 10.2 points a game.(SB)
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