#PBA2015 PREVIEW: MERALCO BOLTS vs BLACKWATER ELITE – END STRONG

The Bolts are stuck in the middle of the pack, while BLA is mired at the very bottom of the standings. If MER wins here, they may move to as high as fourth place, while BLA will simply play for pride. Beyond that, however, both teams should want to win this game to end their elims campaigns on a strong note. More importantly, MER needs to gain momentum for the quarterfinals after they lost to PUR in their previous game.

Here are some things to watch in this game:

1. JUMPING JOSH DAVIS

The Bolts would go nowhere fast without Josh Davis, and they will surely need him at his best from this point moving forward. Against PUR, he did well, but didn’t have a lot of support from the locals, so that’s another big factor for MER to do well here. Still, the biggest factor for MER’s chances of winning is this guy.

Comm Cup stats: 23.6ppg, 16.3rpg, 2.0apg, 2.6spg, 1.1bpg, 50.0 FG%

vs PUR: 31pts, 13rebs, 2asts, 4stls, 11/14 FGs

2. GARY GRANADA

After a lackluster showing against ALA, El Granada exploded for 27 points in a losing effort against PUR. He hit 4 triples in that game, but shot only 37.9% from the field. MER will need him to put up big points again, but he will need to be more efficient in getting them. MER cannot afford for David to shoot under 38% or this granada will explode right in their faces.

vs ALA: 7pts, 2rebs, 14.3 FG%

vs PUR: 27pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 2stls, 4 triples, 37.9 FG%

3. TURN ON THE MIKE

One guy who kinda struggled against PUR was playmaker Mike Cortez. Cortez has been solid this conference for the Bolts, but against the speedy duo of Mark Barroca and Justin Melton, he struggled.

Comm Cup stats: 9.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.3apg, 36.7 FG%

vs PUR: 4pts, 5rebs, 7asts, 1stl, 1/7 FGs

4. ELECTROCUTED SHOOTING

Another contributing factor for MER’s loss was their anemic shooting. MER shot just 37.8% from the floor against a tough PUR defense. Outside of Josh Davis, nobody shot better than 40% for MER. Top guns like Gary David, Jared Dillinger, Reynel Hugnatan, and Mike Cortez combined to shoot just 33% from the field. That cannot happen again.

Whole MER team: 31/82 FG shooting – 37.8%; 16/24 FT shooting – 66.7%

5. DON’T DOUBT DOUTHIT

Marcus Douthit has been the single beacon of light for an otherwise dark Elite conference. He helped the franchise to its first two wins and has been its lynchpin throughout most of its games. Despite being nearly 35 years old already, Kuya Marcus remains solid. Never ever doubt Douthit.

Comm Cup stats: 21.4ppg, 14.4rpg, 3.9apg, 1.2spg, 3.2bpg, 39.1 FG%

vs ROS: 34pts, 20rebs, 8asts, 2blks, 48.0 FG%

6. VIRTUOSO VAL

One guy who had a big breakout performance was former UE Red Warrior Val Acuña. Acuña has been putting up pedestrian production this conference, but he did very well against ROS in their previous game, hitting three triples on his way to a career-high 20 points. If he can put up great numbers again, then BLA may have a sliver of a chance here.

Comm Cup stats: 6.0ppg, 1.9rpg, 36.0 FG%

vs ROS: 20pts, 6rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 5 triples, 50.0 FG%

7. HURRICANE HERUELA

One guy who has a lot of potential for BLA is Brian Heruela. Heruela has been a bit of a hurricane for the Elite. When he plays really well, the Elite can beat almost anybody, but when he struggles, they struggle, too. Which version Heruela will we see — the soft breeze or the destructive hurricane?

Comm Cup stats: 11.9ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.9apg, 1.5spg, 46.4 FG%

vs ROS: 15pts, 4rebs, 1ast, 4stls, 50.0 FG%

8. FADING FAUNDO

One guy who started the season well but has somehow faded in this conference is Bryan Faundo. From being a double-double threat last conference, he has taken the backseat and has struggled to play alongside Douthit. He has great potential to be a solid PBA big man, though, so having him play well is important.

Phil Cup stats: 11.5ppg, 8.0rpg, 53.2 FG%

Comm Cup stats: 9.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 45.3 FG%

9. MARQUEE MATCH-UP: BAM GAMALINDA VS JARED DILLINGER

These two small forwards seem to match-up well with each other. They both have great size for their position and possess good skill-sets. Gamalinda can post up and shoot from the midrange, while Dillinger is dangerous in transition and can heat up from the perimeter. Whoever plays well should give his team a big boost.

Gamalinda season stats: 8.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.5apg, 37.5 FG%

Dillinger season stats: 9.2ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.3apg, 42.5 FG%

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