Losing two close games prior to Sunday, coach Norman Black could only feel a sense of relief after Meralco escaped Mahindra, 86-83 at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s nice to win a close game for a change,” he said.
And it couldn’t have come at a better time, as the 6-5 Bolts are looking forward to build their confidence anew as we enter the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.
Black, who also chalked in his 600th victory as a head coach, was elated that his boys found a way to deliver after two close defeats to San Miguel and Star.
“Our last two games were very close and we’re not able to pull it out in the end. This was a little bit scary in a sense that the ball was just there on the floor, ready for anybody to pick it up, but the ball bounced our way today and we won the basketball game which is the only thing that matters,” he said.
Though it was hard fought, Black was happy to credit Allen Durham for once again stepping up to the plate to save the Bolts late.
But more than the win, the Grand Slam-winning mentor’s eye is wrested on the team’s positioning in the standings.
“We’ll take it and we’ll see what happens with other teams and see where they fall. We just have to wait and see who we play next,” he said.
Black also said that the gutsy victory has allowed Meralco to re-focus on the task at hand, with his team assured of at least a playoff for the fourth spot that comes with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
“Whenever you lose, your confidence goes down. We’re not the most talented team in the PBA, but we come out and play hard every game. Whenever we lose a close game, it’s a little bit damaging to our confidence,” he said.
“It’s nice to get a win to build your confidence back up again, to get the guys start believing in themselves again, and hope it carries over to the next game.”