Moments after a painful 120-73 defeat on Saturday night, head coach Norman Black didn’t hold back in his assessment of Meralco’s campaign in the Philippine Cup.
“We basically had no chance of winning this conference and we played like it,” he said after the Bolts absorbed their worst franchise defeat in the 47-point rout at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Though Meralco eclipsed its 1-10 record from last season, the outcome remained the same, as it saw itself at the bottom third of the standing with its 3-8 record.
“It’s the same way I evaluated last year – bad and disappointing,” said the Grand Slam-winning mentor.
Black may be bummed with the dismal conference, but he knows that his focus is to develop his wards and look at the bigger picture, as he seeks to replicate last season’s improved showing in the import-laden conferences.
That’s why he keeps the faith with the manpower he currently has, saying that though the locals underperformed, it’s still too early to drop the ball with this core.
“No player movements right now. We’re just basically trying to make sure we get a good import similar to what we got last year: one who can play the middle, can rebound, and defend inside the paint. That’s really our focus right now,” he said.
Black relented to divulge the names of his possible reinforcements, but he said that Meralco management are currently working tirelessly to find an able import for the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup.