SMART Clark Giga City -- MERALCO has fixed one glitch in its game and looks all set to venture into unfamiliar terrain.
That is, if the Bolts could solve an even more pressing concern, that of hurdling a powerhouse TNT squad which is bristling to spring back to life in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City.
The Tropang Giga are just coming off a 79-85 loss to Barangay Ginebra Friday evening but are sure to come out strong in a bid to snap out of their recent funk and resume their stalled drive for a Top Four slot, which carries with it a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.
Besides, a TNT win over its sister team would set the Tropa up for its match Rain or Shine on Tuesday.
For its part, Meralco has won two straight, which coach Norman Black credited to his team finally able to come out with more energy following the halftime break.
Sponsored content:
"We really talked about coming out strong in the third quarter," related Black following an 85-78 win over the Elasto Painters last Thursday. "In some of our past games that has been one of our weaknesses, coming out of the dugout strong."
Should Meralco carry its momentum over and win its third straight game it would improve to 6-3, enough for it to officially enter the quarterfinals for only the first time since the 2014-15 edition, Black's first conference with the Bolts.
Black already had the math figured out.
"I think it's gonna probably take six wins to guarantee you'd make it to the playoffs, five will probably get you a tie which we're not really trying to do," Black has said.
"We still have to pick up more victories just to make sure the team will get in. We'll try to win our next game, we'll try to focus in," added Black.
Sponsored content:
Actually, Meralco has two more chances to officially make it as it next takes on Terrafirma Sunday before winding u the eliminations against NorthPort Wednesday.
But Black's crosshairs are firmly on TNT and even keenly watched the Tropa game against the Kings.
"We know they're one of the stronger teams in the league," said Black.
"That's gonna be a tough game coming up. We'll just try to focus in on every game." (NC)
