MERALCO is on the brink of making a return trip to the finals as it looks to sweep ailing Star in its road to redemption in the semifinals of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Holding a 2-0 lead, the Bolts can march back to the finals when they play the Hotshots once again in Game 3 of their best-of-five semis affair today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco coach Norman Black knows his Bolts are closer to the finals, but he is also well aware that the job is still not done despite the position they’re in.
“We still need one more game to get to the finals and of course, we’re hoping we can end the series on the first try,” said Black.
After taking Game 1 in tough fashion, the Bolts suddenly summoned all their power to completely manhandle the Hotshots in Game 2.
Meralco was at its best and hardly broke a sweat Tuesday night when it annihilated helpless Star, 98-74, in Sta. Rosa City to grab a firm grip on the series.
Furthermore, the Bolts will have yet another advantage as one of Star’s top guns was already ruled out of the series.
Hotshot star Paul Lee, who only played three minutes early in Game 2 after aggravating an old knee injury, was announced to be done for the series, leading Star with more problems to face against the confident Bolts.
Still, Star coach Chito Victolero remains positive that his team isn’t completely out of it just yet despite all the odds stacked against them.
“This is not yet over. It takes three games. We still have a chance,” said Victolero. “With Paul gone now, everybody needs to step-up. We need to keep a positive mindset.”
The Bolts were the runners-up in last season’s version of this tournament with reigning Best Import Allen Durham leading the charge.
With the same approach in this campaign with even more motivation to finally go all the way, they now see themselves a win away from getting back to the big stage.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra can also enjoy a 2-0 lead should it continue its dominant ways over at the other side of the bracket.
The Gin Kings are currently going for another one against TNT KaTropa, which is looking to equalize, their own best-of-five semis series.