PBA: Last conference’s heartbreak fuels Aaron Black, Meralco

Meralco Bolts’ Aaron Black high fives Bong Quinto in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco’s Aaron Black admitted that the Bolts were more hyped than usual in their most recent victory over Phoenix in the PBA Philippine Cup.

With the playoff race getting tighter, the Bolts upped their chances of entering the quarterfinals after defeating the Fuel Masters, 82-76, at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

But increasing their playoff chances is just one of the reasons why Meralco played extra motivated.

READ: PBA: Meralco fans playoff hopes after edging Phoenix

Black didn’t forget the heartbreak dealt by coach Jamike Jarin’s wards a conference ago.

“Of course, we talked about that as added motivation before the game. We understood that they’re the ones who eliminated us in the last conference and that always hurts,” said the guard after dropping 18 points, four rebounds and four assists in the win.

“You bring that in a game like this where it’s do-or-die for the both of us, we really wanted to take all the motivation that we could but our number one priority today is to keep our hopes alive in the playoffs.”

Phoenix gave Meralco the boot a few months ago in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals in two games.

READ: PBA: Phoenix earns last semis berth, pulls plug on Meralco

With a twice-to-beat advantage, the Fuel Masters lost to the Bolts in the first game, only to be lifted by Best Import of the Conference Johnathan Williams III into the semifinals in the following game.

Even coach Luigi Trillo acknowledged Meralco’s high motivation prior to facing Phoenix.

“We’re all about the Xs and Os, I really made sure to remind them how good Phoenix is nowadays. They kicked our asses and we came down to a last deciding game. Things didn’t go our way and you remember those things,” said Trillo.

The coach, though, downplayed the win just a tad by reiterating that Phoenix didn’t have the same cast they had a conference prior.

“Then again, right now they don’t have (Tyler) Tio, they don’t have the best import Williams, we know what we’re made of and we had to bring it.”