Meralco gets confidence boost with Durham back in even better shape

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco head coach Norman Black has plenty of reasons to be buzzing heading into the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Bolts are perennial contenders in the season-ending conference for the past three years, having made the finals in two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017 and a final four appearance in 2018.

Also back at Black’s disposal is the hulking Allen Durham, whom the multititled mentor said to be in even better shape than he once was.

“He was here for three weeks before he came back home and I can honestly say he was in much, much better shape than he’s been in the last couple of years,” Black told INQUIRER.net Saturday after his team played Korean club Jeonju KCC Egis to a tie in a tune-up game.

“Probably because he played in Japan during the offseason and played very, very well there and came here three weeks ago in great shape.”

The 31-year-old Durham rejoined the Bolts last month but recently had to return to the US for the meantime for the birth of his first child. He is scheduled to be back Sunday.

A healthy Raymond Almazan is also a welcome sight for Black after the 6-foot-8 beanpole, who missed several games in the Commissioner’s Cup due to a calf injury.

With Durham and Almazan teaming up in the paint, Meralco won’t have to worry about lack of size upfront which has been the team’s major issue in the past.

It’s now the Bolts’ turn to cause problems for the rest of the league.

Meralco kicks off its campaign in the Governors’ Cup with a showdown against defending champion Magnolia next Saturday with the Bolts looking to put to the league on notice.

“They’re the defending champions, they have one of the best imports so it’s gonna be a tough game for us,” Black said. “But like I said, having AD back gives us a lot of confidence that we can beat any team in the league and if the locals play the way they played today then, we certainly have a chance.”