BOLTS, E-PAINTERS RUMBLE IN PALAWAN
STUNG hard in its recent outing Meralco tries to get back on track when it collides with a Rain or Shine crew aching to notch a breakthrough win Saturday in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup road game at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum.
A victory is a must for the two protagonists since another loss would relegate them deeper in the cellar and Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio knows this only too well. But first, he must deal with certain issues.
“The adjustments are just tremendous for us,” said the tactician whose team is coming off an 81-85 loss to Alaska last Wednesday.
“With new players on board we are learning our offensive system, familiarizing ourselves with the defensive schemes and to top that adjusting to the way the officials are calling fouls,” he added, referring to the 45 total charities awarded the Aces.
“Allowing our previous opponent o go to the line 45 times is simply too much. We would like to maintain our aggressiveness without fouling. We have to adjust and not the other way around. While I believe we are limiting the field goal percentage allowed to a low number, we simpy could not defend free throws.”
Having said those, Gregorio knows his Bolts will have their hands full in the Phoenix Fuel-sponsored match against the Elasto Painters, who opened up the mid-season tourney with an 81-83 loss to the Aces last Saturday.
It took a clutch triple by Calvin Abueva and a buzzer-beating layup by Cyrus Baguio, both inside the last 11 seconds, before Alaska could steal the win and Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was quick to shrug off the loss.
“it’s just the first game pa lang naman and things like this happen,” said Guiao immediately after that game.
Things could get as dicey for the E-Painters, what with Gregorio noting several positive things his charges have carried over from a 99-92 victory over Talk N Text also last Saturday.
“I see positive signals despite our loss to Alaska. We were defending the transition, blocking out and limiting turnover points. We need to do that against Rain or Shine,” said Gregorio.
Against the double-teaming Aces Eric Dawson scored just 15 points, 22 below his output versus TNT. New acquisition Vic Manuel tried to pick up the cudgels with 18 points, but Gregorio said the burden of adjusting his game is on his 6-10 import.
“Eric Dawson was stymied the last game. He must have a good offensive game to carry us on his shoulders. Manuel was a revelation on offense while Mac (Cardona) and Ronjay (Buenafe) are expected to score to spread the floor,” said the mentor.
Outside sniping by the Bolts is a must since Rain or Shine boasts of Bruno Sundov, just a shade under 7-3 who debuted with 30 points and 14 rebounds against the Aces.
“The mammoth Sundov must be defended and must not get to the paint,” said Gregorio. “We cannot allow him to go close to the basket because with his size he is unstoppable inside six feet.”
What could make Meralco’s task very doable is the fact E-Painters forward Jeff Chan is nursing a fractured left thumb and would be out four weeks. (NC)
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