SPEED VS HEIGHT IN DIPOLOG
Meralco hopes its quickness can overcome Petron Blaze’s high ceiling and deep wing rotation as the Bolts take their turn to try to stop the Boosters rampage in a road showdown in Dipolog City Saturday.
The Bolts, currently in the middle of the chart with an even 3-3 win-loss card, are definitely the underdogs versus the unbeaten frontrunners Boosters in their 3 p.m. PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup showdown at the Dipolog City Sports Center.
This Petron Blaze-sponsored Saturday special is the second out-of-town sortie in PBA Season 39.
“Six teams have failed. They (the Boosters) won games when they were depleted. They are more dangerous now that they are complete. We have to bring out whatever we can muster to have a chance,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, overwhelmed with the task they’re facing against the Boosters.
“(Junmar) Fajardo is a match-up problem specially with our small and depleted frontline rotation. Even their wing players are playing well,” Gregorio pointed out.
“It’s not enough that our defense holds. The challenge is to score against their defensive wall. They are the best defensive team in the league. We must find ways to loosen their defense and score,” Gregorio added.
But victories over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and San Mig Super Coffee provide Meralco some hope.
“We passed huge tests against tournament favorites Ginebra and San Mig. Now, the biggest test will be Petron. We like the underdog tag. That compels us to play with tenacity and desire on both ends of the floor,” said Gregorio.
“We’ve won games despite our short ceiling by using our quickness. That is how we intend to compete against them. Quickness will be our weapon to compensate for our weakness in height and depth,” he added.
The Bolts are coming off a morale-boosting triumph – a come-from-behind 72-64 spanking of the Mixers.
The combination of John Wilson, Jared Dillinger, Reynel Hugnatan, Chris Timberlake and Sunday Salvacion worked on Meralco’s stirring rally from an 18-point deficit en route to the eight-point win.
Petron, meanwhile, is fresh from its sixth win in six starts.
Alex Cabagnot marked his comeback by making the winning shot as the Bolts withstood the Air21 Express’ gritty challenge, 90-88, to preserve their unblemished record.
Cabagnot came through with 10 points, seven assists and three rebounds in his comeback while another returning Petron player Chris Ross produced 10 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Needless to say, the Boosters are more formidable with a healthier lineup. (SB)
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