Bolts focus all energy on getting 2-0 lead
Taking one game at a time in a playoff series is a worn-out phrase, but that’s what the Meralco Bolts have really got in mind.
“We will just focus all our energy on winning Game Two,” said Meralco coach Norman Black ahead of the vital tiff where they try to sustain their breakthrough ride and build a crucial 2-0 lead versus Barangay Ginebra in their PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven title playoff.
“We know that Ginebra will come out strong so we have to be prepared. Our focus will be on playing better in Game Two than we played in Game One, and also to try to slow down LA Tenorio,” Black also said.
The Bolts ride the momentum of a four-game romp from the semifinals as they tangle with the Gin Kings in Game Two of their titular showdown at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco drew tremendous lift from Allen Durham with his fiery 46-point performance as the Bolts topped the Kings, 114-109, in overtime in the series opener.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said they were disappointed but not discouraged.
“It seemed the five-game semis series with San Miguel Beer took a toll on us and we just wore down as the game progressed,” rued Cone.
“We feel we have a lot more to show in Game Two. Needless to say, however, we need to find an answer to Durham. He was just too dominant for us to overcome,” Cone also said.
LA Tenorio rued they relaxed after opening a 16-point spread in the third period while Ginebra import
Justin Brownlee was man enough to take responsibility, saying he’s to blame for Durham’s huge explosion.
“I give a lot of credit to Allen Durham, he played really well. He’s a tough guy to stop,” said Brownlee. “Mainly, I would take the blame because Allen had a great game. I take a lot of blame for that.”
Worse, Brownlee also failed to deliver offensively, struggling for only 17 point in 47 minutes of action.
Blaming himself for not being aggressive, Brownlee vowed that surely won’t be the case in Game Two.
“It’s gonna be very different. We’re gonna come out a lot harder, come out and defend especially on Allen Durham,” he said. “For this series, you have to defend him better. That’s gonna be the biggest key for us, defensively.”
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