EMBRACING THE SYSTEM
Savoring their best start ever at 3-0, the Meralco Bolts appear to have fully embraced the system instilled by coach Norman Black.
With Black jumping aboard at the start of the season, Meralco went on to advance to the second phase of the Philippine Cup quarterfinals before being eliminated by eventual runner-up Alaska.
But this time out, Meralco has become more at ease with the defensive-minded coach’s schemes and has racked up three straight victories, including a 91-83 win over Talk ‘N Text on Wednesday.
“Yung tiwala at respeto sa isa’t isa, andun. Yung sistema talaga nya, yun lang ang finocus namin nung offseason, kaya nagagawa namin ‘to ngayon,” said Gary David, who had 17 points in that victory tht vaulted the Bolts to the solo lead.
But more than the team’s chemistry, David said that a big chunk of praise should go to their tireless import Josh Davis.
“Talagang nakukuha namin yung energy namin sa import namin. Di sya umiiskor ng masyado pero gusto nya sa kanya yung rebounds. Yung intimidation nya sa gitna na napapaiba nya yung tira ng kalaban, talagang iba yung binibigay nya sa amin,” David said.
Davis only had eight markers against the Texters, but he has lived up to his billing as a rebounding dynamo by hauling down 17 rebounds.
And as Meralco continues its early run at the top, the Bataan gunner believes that the team would further improve as they go on and clash with the stronger teams in the coming weeks.
David said, “Nag-usap kami ni coach at alam ko na yung gusto nyang makita sa akin, sa amin. Gusto nya magfocus kami sa depensa kasi defensive-minded si coach kaya yun ang ginagawa namin.” (RL)
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