With Shonn Miller good as advertised, Bolts have reason to smile

Meralco Bolts’ Shonn Miller in his PBA debut. –PBA IMAGES

Meralco dismantled Magnolia on the road on Saturday night for a key PBA Commissioner’s Cup victory that, according to coach Luigi Trillo, gave the Bolts something more than a win reflected in the standings.

Aside from a win that pushed the Bolts to 7-2 and kept the club in the hunt for the much-coveted playoff protection, Trillo was thrilled to see a full-strength Bolts roster and their new import impress with a pair of games to go.

“Guys are back, Shonn Miller, and we still have games coming in,” the Meralco coach told the Inquirer on Sunday afternoon, fresh off a return flight from Iloilo City where the Bolts stifled Magnolia, 85-80, at a packed University of San Agustin Gym.

Miller, who replaced high-scoring guard Zach Lofton, delivered 33 points and 22 rebounds while preserving the fourth-quarter heroics of hometown hero Anjo Caram, whose presence completed the Bolts for the first time this season-opening conference.

“We took Magnolia out of its strengths,” Trillo said. “But really, the revelation was the impact Shonn had,” Trillo said.

“Out of town, in a hot gym, and playing against the best defensive team? The No. 1 rebounding team? It was nice to see Shonn come in and play in that win.”

Doing a quick math during the chat, Trillo said the only way Meralco can tab a twice-to-beat bonus is for his charges to sweep dangerous Phoenix Super LPG and desperate Terrafirma.

One error would put Meralco in a perilous spot as San Miguel and defending champion Barangay Ginebra both hold superior quotients over them. A win by the two powerhouses would cause great complications for the Bolts.

Amid the other grim scenarios, Trillo is taking each day in stride.

“These [next] games will also get guys back into the groove of things with playoff basketball upon us now,” he said.