By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
THEIR CHANCES of advancing to the next round of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup may be hanging in the balance with one game left in their schedule but the Meralco Bolts are not losing hope and instead vowed to continue fighting and make the most of the opportunity given to them.
Bagged their third straight win in the season-ending PBA tournament on Sunday at the expense of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 91-82, the Bolts improved to 4-6 with a game remaining in the elimination round.
Meralco is currently at ninth place but still has a chance for a playoff for the final quarterfinal spot if it gets to beat the San Miguel Beermen in their clash on Nov. 4.
“It’s just another step. I think we have 12 days off before we play San Miguel on Nov. 4 and it’s going to be a tough one because San Miguel is still also fighting for playoff position. At least we put ourselves in a situation where we still have a chance to go to the playoffs. Three games ago we were pretty much given up for dead, so we’re happy and I’m proud of my team for continuing to fight,” said Meralco coach Norman Black, whose wards were left at the bottom of the standings after racking up six straight defeats before their current ascent.
Mr. Black said they hope that the long break they are having would not affect their rhythm as they try to force their way back into quarterfinal contention.
“Who knows? We have had two-week breaks, 26 days off this conference. Obviously for us we would like to continue playing right now because we have some rhythm and everybody is playing well. But the good thing about it is that it will add depth to us as Ranidel [De Ocampo] will be back and KG [Cañaleta] as well,” said the Meralco coach.
Because of injuries, Messrs. De Ocampo (calf) and Cañaleta (hamstring) have seen themselves ride the bench for the Bolts.
PBA GAMES TODAY
Meanwhile, PBA games today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City will see the Phoenix Fuel Masters (6-3) battle Rain or Shine (2-6) at 4:30 p.m. while San Miguel (4-4) faces off with Northport Batang Pier (2-7) at 7 p.m.
The Fuel Masters are trying to fortify their place in the top four that would earn them a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals while the Elasto Painters are in the same boat like Meralco trying to stay in the hunt for a place in the playoffs.
San Miguel is eyeing a third win in a row against also-rans Batang Pier to propel its push for a place in the quarterfinals.