Bolts out to arrest skid vs Elite
MERALCO tries to get back on its feet while Star seeks a third straight win when they tackle separate foes today in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Bolts take the floor first at 4:15 p.m. against Blackwater, a vastly improved side enjoying its finest start in franchise history, as they try to arrest a two-game slide and regain solo leadership.
Coming off their first winning streak under new coach Jason Webb, the Hotshots gun for a win to get to .500 for the first time, slugging it out with the shorthanded GlobalPort at 7 p.m.
Meralco opened up with a franchise best-equalling 5-0 record but has dropped its last two games.
And with just four games to go, the Bolts would need to close out the round with a flurry to get a top two berth. They could start by holding off the Elite, who are seeking to make the playoffs for the second straight conference.
Arinze Onuaku will be the focal point of the Meralco game on both ends, having the advantage in size over the Elite’s MJ Rhett, a versatile, all-around import who has shown the willingness to share the ball with his local teammates.
Carlo Lastimosa and Reil Cervantes will have to be big offensively for the Elite, who have been getting great games from veteran point guard Mike Cortez in holding Blackwater together.
Jared Dillinger, Cliff Hodge and Rabeh Al-Hussaini are the others who will give the Bolts the advantage underneath. Hodge is expected to be tasked by coach Norman Black to try and contain Rhett.
Meanwhile, GlobalPort will play with a decimated lineup against the Hotshots, with Anthony Semerad and Dorian Peña joining superstar guards Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo on the injured list.
Romeo and Pringle are out with leg injuries and the Batang Pier will try to hold off a Star side that is loaded on all fronts.
Shawn Taggart came up with a good first game for the Batang Pier but will have to work double time on both ends to help GlobalPort.
“We still have a good chance (in this game) despite the injuries,” GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio told the Inquirer. “The good thing about this team is that it continues to fight with all its heart despite the odds.”
