Wonderful problem
ANTIPOLO—Antonio Hester felt he did a much-better job in his second game as Meralco import on Tuesday, even if it ended with a near-collapse against previously-unbeaten Blackwater.
Playing as a replacement while original choice Jordon Varnado deals with a calf injury, Hester put up 25 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in the Bolts’ 116-114 escape act over the Bossing at Ynares Center here.
“I’m feeling better now,” Hester said. “I got more legs under me, my wind is getting better. It’s a day-by-day thing, but I’m getting better.”
Hester’s performance, a follow-up to a solid debut in a win over Rain or Shine at the same venue over the weekend, should make it difficult for the Bolts to make the ultimate decision as to whether they stick with the former Terrafirma and Magnolia reinforcement or go with Varnado once he fully heals up.
“They’re both professionals and [active consultant Nenad Vucinic] has spoken to them,” coach Luigi Trillo said after Meralco tied Blackwater for second in Group B at 2-1.
“Hester’s playing very well. I mean, if you look at his jet lag and all, he’s been in for four or five days. But he seems to fit right in. He’s got a good disposition. I think he’s confident because he’s played here several times with several teams.”
Hester and the Bolts return to action on Friday, facing a struggling Magnolia side dealing with a 0-2 slate at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Key assist
Meralco notched its latest victory with Chris Banchero knocking down three four-point shots while also dishing off the assist to Chris Newsome for the game-winning basket with 3.9 seconds left after Blackwater came storming back from 17 to tie things up at 114-all.
Sedrick Barefield and RK Ilagan were responsible for the comeback, but the Bossing couldn’t complete the rally.
Meanwhile, unbeaten teams Converge and San Miguel Beer clash in a marquee Group A match, also in this city on Wednesday, with tipoff scheduled at 7:30 p.m.
The FiberXers get to face a legitimate contender for the first time after beating Titan Ultra, Terrafirma and Macau to start off their campaign in the season-ending conference.
Player of the Week Justin Arana will be at the forefront of Converge’s bid opposite a San Miguel squad that beat Macau and Terrafirma to open its own title drive.
TNT goes for a 2-0 record against 0-4 Macau in the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser.
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