Trillo optimistic as Bolts face tall odds
The East Asia Super League may look like a steep mountain to climb for Meralco, but coach Luigi Trillo remains confident in his Bolts.
The PBA representative to the league needs to overcome key hurdles to make the postseason: Beat Ryukyu in its last elimination round game and make sure the winning margin is at least six points.
And then there are the injuries that are expected to impact the crucial duel against the Japan B.League powerhouse.
“Little by little, the guys are coming along,” Trillo told the Inquirer in a phone call on Saturday. “We’re excited. All systems go. Could we have had [better] preparations? I think so, but we’re making do with the situation we’re in … six is a manageable number to get.”
“We’ll be playing a solid Ryukyu team. They’ve gelled. With that said, we still like where we’re at.”
A win by six or more places, Meralco over the Golden Kings in Group B via quotient.
There’s even an added incentive if they win by over 20 points, as they would clinch not just a spot in the quarterfinals but also Group B’s top seed.
A win by less than five, and a loss for that matter, will end Meralco’s bid.
The Bolts will play their game against the Golden Kings on Wednesday with a depleted lineup that will be without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Chris Newsome and Jansen Rios.
Hollis-Jefferson suffered a torn Achilles tendon a few months back, Newsome strained his MCL and Rios hyperextended his knee during Meralco’s PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series against TNT.
It’s a good thing that Meralco has backup in newly-signed guard Jason Brickman and NLEx import Cady Lalanne.
“He’s like the Asian John Stockton if you think about it,” Trillo said of Brickman. “He knows where to make the passes. I’m really happy that he signed.”
