Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — The lower the score, the better chance Meralco gets at beating San Mig Coffee.
That’s how the Bolts head coach Ryan Gregorio sees their best-of-five semifinals duel against the Mixers, which is now tied at 1-1.
“Both teams really love to play defense. It will favor us if it’s a low scoring game simply because they have more offensive arsenal for us,” Gregorio pointed out after Meralco put the clamps down on San Mig Coffee’s usually high-scoring offense for a 73-69 win Tuesday night.
Mixers import Marqus Blakely still came away with 24 points but had to work for his points at the line as the Bolts made sure Blakely didn’t have a single open look or a clear driving lane throughout the game.
Blakely, whose lone weakness was at the 15-foot parallel, attempted 26 free throws and made just 12 and Gregorio thinks that Blakely’s numerous trips at the line disrupted his offense as well as his team’s.
“That stymied their rhythm offensively,” said Gregorio, who also added that San Mig Coffee’s flat start gave his team the opportunity early.
Meralco’s adjustments at the defensive end also held San Mig Coffee’s Joe Devance, who starred in the Mixers’ 83-73 win in Game 1, and Marc Pingris scoreless despite playing 25 and 30 minutes, respectively.
And as if those numbers still don’t add up, the Bolts shot an eyesore 30.6% shooting from the field and yet still managed to win.