THE Meralco Bolts have powered up from their last PBA Finals in the 2022 Governors' Cup, and they hope the roster improvement gives them a chance at going all the way to nail a breakthrough championship.
The new faces include big guys Brandon Bates, Norbert Torres and Kyle Pascual that were done with their task versus Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar and are now girding up for battle versus seven-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo.
To neutralize Fajardo is one of the tall orders for the Bolts if they're to compete with the talent-laden, star-studded San Miguel Beermen and stand a chance at defying the odds in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals.
The series commences at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the Beermen fresh from an 11-day rest following a quick sweep disposal of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their side of the semis.
The Bolts, meanwhile, gutted it out through a full seven-game series with the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
Sponsored content: But Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, with active consultant Nenad Vucinic on his side, sees a silver lining in that tough semis run, believing it could serve as a good preparation for the Last Dance versus the Beermen.
It could be and should be for Bates who is likely to play extensive minutes as alternate with Raymond Almazan in a matchup with Fajardo.
"I said it before the (semis) series, Brandon would be big for us because Raymond (Almazan is) doing his share, Kyle (Pascual is) doing his share, (also) Norbert (Torres). I'm sure these guys appreciate the things that Brandon does," Trillo said.
"He's (Bates) going to be huge in the next series. You're playing probably the best player ever in the PBA in June Mar and then we know what they're capable of. But we're also confident in our guys," Trillo added.
Bates, the No. 8 pick from the Season 48 draft out of La Salle, has been playing his role well.
Sponsored content: "I know my role. I know my role isn't going to be to score 10 to 12 points. It's going to be getting those defensive rebounds, you have blocks, challenge shots. So, I've just accepted my role. It's why I was drafted," said the Fil-Australian behemoth.
Of course, the Bolts have to deal with a lot other SMB lethal weapons.
But Trillo is confident the Bolts are motivated to battle.
"We believe in our guys. We have a deep team as well, character guys over here and it's going to be a good series," said Trillo who will have his own artilleries in Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, Cliff Hodge, Allein Maliksi and Bong Quinto.
The Bolts have been in chase of a first PBA crown since taking the Sta. Lucia franchise in 2010. They hope to end the chase not in the next tourney, next year or the near future, but now. (SB)
