STARTING YEAR RIGHT
With most players back in harness and a victory to start off 2025, Meralco hopes to use both as springboards to regain its groove in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“It’s big for us to have our guys back for them to be able to get their feet wet,” coach Luigi Trillo said after the Bolts’ 88-83 win over Eastern at the resumption on Sunday of the midseason conference at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco ended a two-game skid to go 4-2 midway into its elimination round campaign, with import Akil Mitchell leading the way with 31 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and seven steals.
The Bolts finished 2024 on a wrong note, suffering an unexpected loss to the struggling Blackwater Bossing before falling to the Converge FiberXers on Christmas Day. Also sandwiched by those two defeats was a collapse against Busan KGC Egis in the East Asia Super League.
Injuries contributed to those woes, but the Bolts are now close to full strength with Chris Banchero, Brandon Bates, Raymond Almazan and rookie CJ Cansino in uniform. Only Allein Maliksi is still dealing with an ailment after he was returned to the injured list due to bone spurs.
Hectic schedule
Meralco would like to take advantage of recent developments with a hectic schedule ahead against TNT on Tuesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City and NLEX on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Every game this week is gonna be tough,” Trillo said. “But [the holiday break] was a little bit good for us because we had some days off, especially Akil.”
Mitchell got back to his early form after a broken nose forced him to miss games and wear a black mask for protection.
His play will be crucial, especially with formidable imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of TNT and wide-bodied Donovan Smith of Phoenix next.
Sunday saw Mitchell battle Eastern import Chris McLaughlin, who had 28 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, two steals and four blocks.
But Eastern dropped to 6-3 despite rallying in the fourth to even take the lead. Meralco, however, was persistent.
Bong Quinto’s 16 points were instrumental while Chris Newsome, Aaron Black and Cliff Hodge made big plays down the stretch on both sides to fight off Eastern.
Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic got one over Eastern counterpart Mensur Bajramovic, who faced his good buddy Vucinic for the first time ever.
Vucinic revealed that he and Bajramovic have been friends since childhood but lost contact due to the Bosnian War in the mid-’90s. Vucinic is Serbian and Bajramovic is Bosnian.
“He’s like a brother to me and it was very difficult, very emotional for me today to coach against him,” said Vucinic.
