Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Facing what he thinks is a do-or-die game for both, Meralco coach Norman Black has a vastly different view on how his Bolts’ clash with Star will be decided.
Tied at the top with 7-2 records, Meralco and Star tangle at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Wednesday, with the prize being one of two twice-to-beat privileges in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
There are a lot of similarities in the way the Bolts and the Hotshots have played their first nine games, and the biggest of them all is how they have clamped down on their enemies to emerge as the top two defensive teams at this point in the conference.
And while Star’s Chito Victolero believes that his defense needs to hold up to grab the solo lead for the first time here, Black, a Grand Slam champion and one of the winningest coaches of all time, believes otherwise.
“For a change, offensive execution will decide this game,” Black said over the phone, minutes before practice with his Bolts on Tuesday. “In a battle between the top two defensive teams in the league, it will all boil down to offensive execution versus solid defense.”
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. with Black emphasizing that this is a “must-win game for both of us if we want to finish in the top two.”
Victolero is devising ways on how he can tighten his crew’s defense, especially inside the paint where Meralco thrives because of import Alex Stepheson.
“We need to limit the activity of their import, especially in getting those offensive rebounds and second chance points,” Victolero said. “Our perimeter defense is also very important to prevent their guards from penetrating and creating shots.”
Star will be seeking to extend a three-game winning streak, while the Bolts are still licking the wounds of an upset loss to GlobalPort last week, a setback that put Meralco in this situation.
“We can beat the top teams and it follows that we can also lose (to the weaker ones),” said Black, who made it no secret that the Bolts are playing so well mainly because of the confidence Stepheson gives the local players.
Meanwhile, Alaska tries to snap a three-game losing streak and make its way up to the middle of the standings when the Aces clash with winless NLEX in the 4:15 p.m. contest.