STRUGGLING BOLTS PARADE DANNY I VS INSPIRED EXPRESS
In the hope of turning things around in the new year, the Meralco Bolts made a little tweaking in their lineup, signing up two-time MVP awardee Danny Ildefonso for the rest of the conference.
The Bolts show up with Ildefonso in tow as they plunge back into action versus the Air21 Express at the resumption of the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday.
The two teams fight to move out of the cellar in their 5:45 p.m. setto. Through the December stretch of the tourney, Meralco is tied with San Mig Coffee at eighth place at 3-7 while Air21 (2-8) is a game behind at 10th spot.
After their last game in 2013, Air21 coach Franz Pumaren hinted at upgrading their roster for the closing stage of the elimination round. At posting time, there’s still no progress on their plans, though.
The Bolts, on the other hand, ended their wait for Kerby Raymundo’s return and finally decided to acquire Ildefonso – an unrestricted free agent since being left unsigned by Petron Blaze at the end of the 2013 campaign.
“His presence will give us more ceiling and maturity,” said Gregorio, who insisted they want to start strong in the new year.
“Done with 2013. We want to start on a high note to usher in 2014. New Year, new hope and hopefully new ending,” he said.
“We are still full of hope. With four games left in our calendar, our fate is still in our hands. We still have time to turn things around,” he added.
Meralco, skidding down the chart after losing its last four matches and five of last six, has Air21, Alaska, Rain or Shine and Petron Blaze as final assignments in the elims.
Gregorio and his charges are still hoping to land a spot in the Top Six to avoid a quarterfinals matchup against a team with a twice-to-beat advantage. Of course, their initial target is to make the eight-team playoffs.
The Bolts got a big jolt in their last game, blowing away a five-point lead in the last 15 seconds of play in a heart-rending 82-83 loss to the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
“The game against Ginebra, though heartbreaking, gave me a lot of confidence that we can compete at a high level,” said Gregorio.
“We played with energy, enthusiasm and we were committed to play defense. Similar elements are needed as we go up against Air21,” Gregorio added.
Air21, on the other hand, ended 2013 on a winning note.
Right on Christmas Day, the Express gave themselves a special present in the form of a stirring 109-103 overtime triumph over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, one that provided them relief and hope entering the homestretch of the elims.
Joseph Yeo churned out his first career triple-double game (19 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds), Asi Taulava put in his biggest output in five years (28 markers) and Mark Cardona came through with his season’s best (also with 28) as the Express stopped their three-game skid and scored their second win in 10 games.
Just like their previous victory, their second was a character triumph they pulled through coming from the depth of an 18-point deficit.
“The guys just showed the mark of a team that’s willing to improve from their current position,” said Pumaren. (SB)
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