Bolts turn back Elite

With a better team than what it had the previous two years, Meralco forged its finest Philippine Cup start under Norman Black—but the multititled coach isn’t about to pressure his boys into achieving what they have failed to since 2016.

New acquisition KG Canaleta rifled five straight points when the game was on the line in the dying minutes and helped preserve a 103-98 win over Blackwater Friday night, as Meralco, aside from missing the playoffs here the last two seasons, finally won its tournament opener.

Canaleta hit 19 of his team-high 25 points in the final two frames and the Bolts finished with just enough spunk to hold off the Elite, who led by as many as 12 points early in the second only to sputter in the third.

“I think we have a better team, but it’s not playoff or bust for us [in this conference],” said Black, who was without veteran Ranidel de Ocampo and do-it-all forward Cliff Hodge.

“This is a good start for us, and it’s nice to get off to a good start [in this conference],” Black went on. “But we have [defending champion] San Miguel [Beer] next, and that will be a big challenge.”

Meralco won a total of just four games in the last two Philippine Cups.

But after trading for De Ocampo and signing free agents Canaleta, Jason Ballesteros, Mac Baracael and Nico Salva, the Bolts look more formidable this time.

In the second game, Rain or Shine held off TNT KaTropa, 82-79.