OPPOSITE POLES COLLIDE
MERALCO has recently gained a lot of ground at the expense of some of the league’s best.
The Bolts now try to continue their winning ways and realize some immediate cherished goals when they take on a GlobalPort squad fighting for dear life 5:15 p.m. Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A fourth straight victory by Meralco would be its fifth in all, formalizing its entry into the ensuing quarterfinals and stoke its drive for a top four finish in the nine-game eliminations phase.
Such a finish entails a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.
But the Bolts must first overcome a Batang Pier crew that is currently on a three-game slide and badly needs a slump-stopping win to stoke its drive for inclusion among the eight advancing to the next round.
According to GlobalPort import Markeith Cummings, getting past the elims is the team’s goal right now and another loss would seriously jeopardize that bid.
“It doesn’t matter where you wind up as long as you get to the quarterfinals,” said Cummings. “Every team here could be beaten, but we must get there first.”
Meralco best exemplifies that, having pulled the rug from under the likes of immediate past titlists Talk N Text, Alaska and Rain or Shine.
The Bolts have also opened up the season-ending conference by beating pre-tourney favorite Petron Blaze before losing to Barako Bull and Barangay Ginebra.
It is on his team keeping its sharp edge of late and avoiding the pitfalls of over-confidence against a perceived lightweight that gnaws at coach Ryan Gregorio most.
“We are slowly getting a reputation as a solid defensive unit. But reputation alone is not enough. Effort must be rendered and action must be taken. It was our defense that helped us win against quality teams,” said Gregorio.
“The same kind of tenacity on ‘D’ is needed against GlobalPort. Our confidence was buoyed by our wins and we are cautious not to be a victim of compacency,” added Gregorio. “GlobalPort is equipped with players who can shoot the lights out when left open. We must contest all their shots.” (NC)
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