BLACKWATER has one battlecry: "Bounce back!"
It might as well be Meralco's too.
The Elite and Bolts collide Friday in a match that should help determine where they wind up in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Blackwater is looking to gain a piece of the lead currently shared by Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok and Barangay Ginebra.
The defending champion Kings are taking on the NLEX Road Warriors later in the evening.
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A win against a Meralco side trying to stoke its flagging bid will also prop Blackwater's bid to land among the top four at the end of the eliminations and gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the ensuing quarterfinals.
For their immediate goals to be realized, the Elite must shake off the bitter memories of a 106-124 loss to NLEX two Wednesdays ago and rediscover their fiery form that netted them a franchise-best 4-0 start.
Yet even Blackwater coach Bong Ramos himself expects a long night.
"Meralco's standing is 1-3. Bad start for them, but they are one of the expected strong teams this conference," noted Ramos.
"If Meralco will be able to regroup they are really strong," added Ramos.
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Indeed, the two-time runnerup Bolts may be on a three-game slide, but they are still considered by many as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
Jared Dillinger and Ranidel de Ocampo remain on the injury list, but reigning back-to-back Best Import Allen Durham, not to mention bristling Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge, should prop Meralco's drive.
Durham has been averaging 22.5 points, 16.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists an outing while Newsome and Hodge should be chomping at the bits to see action anew after eligibility issues prevented them from seeing action in the recent FIBA Champions Cup where the Bolts wound up fourth.
Blackwater also has its own manpower concern as usual starting center JP Erram remains a gametime decision following a recent bout with the flu.
"Day-to-day evaluation," was how Ramos described Erram's condition.
But even without the 6-foot-7 slotman and his averages of 14 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.33 blocks, Ramos still has Henry Walker, John Pinto, Mike Digregorio, Mac Belo and Paul Zamar to turn to.
It's just a matter of carrying out the strategy Ramos drew up.
"We prepared for them and we'll push to execute our game plan and hopefully we can bounce back and get that W," stated Ramos.(NC)
