[ad_1]
KJ McDaniels import Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governor’s Cup. – PBA PICTURES
Meralco will have to fight “tooth and nail” to put itself in a good position to make a deep playoff run in the Philippine Basketball Association Governor’s Cup.
If it’s any consolation, coach Norman Black and the Bolts aren’t alone in that predicament.
“Almost every team is fighting to make the playoffs,” Black said after a 114-98 win over the NLEX Road Warriors that snapped a two-game slide Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
“There are actually two teams (TNT and San Miguel Beer) that are falling back, while others are trying to keep going. We are one of those teams,” added Black as the Bolts improved to 4-3 (win-loss).
Meralco, whose last two defeats came against runaway leaders who have secured a quarterfinal slot, is tied for sixth with Magnolia in the standings and just a game behind third-place Converge, which was played at press time.
In addition, fourth-place NLEX with a score of 5-3, and fourth-place Barangay Ginebra with a score of 4-2.
Meralco will have a chance to increase its bid while edging out other teams caught in a tight playoff.
The Bolts will take on Magnolia on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Ginebra on March 1 and Converge on March 3 before meeting Phoenix to complete the elimination round on March 5.
To achieve that goal, however, Black banking KJ McDaniels imported to put up a big number like at the beginning of the conference, and there against NLEX, his former team.
McDaniels had 31 points and 21 rebounds against the Road Warriors, which was reinforced in the early part of the Governor’s Cup last season. He averaged 22.0 points and 14.0 rebounds against the Beermen and Tropang Giga.
“We got a big game from KJ which we didn’t get in the last two games,” said Black. “If he can put in a performance like that, then we have a chance to beat anybody.”
But the locals are also expected to share the burden, especially Allein Maliksi, who scored 19 points including a key three-point shot that prevented the Road Warriors from getting close after repeated attempts to reduce the 21-point deficit.
Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, Cliff Hodge and Anjo Caram were also instrumental in the victory highlighted by a 22-0 run that turned a 16-15 deficit with less than five minutes to go for an early 37-16 lead. in the second.
NLEX has lost three times in four games since original import Jonathon Simmons left for China and was replaced by Wayne Selden, who despite the team’s slump remains one of the tournament’s talented imports.
Your subscription cannot be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Read Next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & 70+ other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download from 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.
[ad_2]
Source link