PBA: After 53-point effort in tuneup, Michael Qualls shut down by Meralco this time

PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Norman Black is excited that Meralco will get a first-hand look at Rain or Shine import Michael Qualls before the two teams meet on Sunday to kick off the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Bolts held Qualls to just 14 points in a 105-87 win in the season-ending conference opener, days after the Elasto Painters’ import exploded for 53 in a tune-up game held last week at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas.

“That might be a blessing in disguise, actually,” Black said. “Because we had a chance to watch him and look for him, and make a defense against him. He did a great job tonight.”

No additional statistics from the exhibition are available because only individual points are usually tallied in such games.

But in a game that counted in the standings, Meralco forced Qualls to miss 19 of 22 attempts that contributed to the final result that saw the Bolts pull away in the second half.

That’s why Black felt there was no reason to worry too much.

“Anyway, it’s exhibition season,” Black said. “We beat Ginebra last year in the exhibition season, and they won the championship.

“So it’s exhibition season that doesn’t mean much.”

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