Meralco is out of a bind and now riding tremendous winning momentum in pursuit of a third PBA Governors Cup finale.
Unscathed in their last seven games, the Bolts hope to get going as they shoot for a commanding 2-0 lead versus the Alaska Milk Aces in their side of the best-of-five semifinals in the season-ending tourney at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Tuesday night.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
Having survived six knockout games and stretching their streak with a 97-92 win over the Aces Sunday, the question now is how far the Bolts can go on their amazing surge.
In a reversals of roles, the playoff seventh seeds are now in a better position than the third-ranked Aces, needing only two more wins to make the title playoff.
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It's the Alaska squad that has found itself in a precarious spot now, needing to bounce back from its loss Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Center to avoid falling in a deeper hole that may be too tough to climb out of.
The question is how to stop the Bolts who have got into a good rhythm and looking to get better and better game by game.
Alaska coach Alex Compton said they also have themselves to blame for their Game One downfall.
"We had straightforward schemes, nothing was complicated, and we weren't doing it. So it's hard to make an adjustment as a coach. You are not doing what you are supposed to be doing so you don't know if it works or not," said Compton.
Having paid the price for their bad game Sunday, Compton expects his troops to exert a better effort in Game Two.
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"I'm not saying we are going to win the series or we are going to win the next game. But I do expect us to play right out of the game with the right amount of effort," he said.
Black, meanwhile, is optimistic as long as Allen Durham leads the way, his teammates would follow, and there would be the Bolts' chance of winning.
"That's what is happening for us. Allen is leading the way," said Black.
"I keep saying that he is the catalyst to everything we do. He gives us that strong foundation in the middle that we can build on. I used to play in this league, so I know, if you are a good import, normally your locals will follow and they will support you," Black added.
Making things easier for the Bolts are the big games being churned out by Baser Amer and Chris Newsome as of late.
Mike Harris didn't get the kind of support Durham enjoyed at least in the series opener.
But Vic Manuel, Chris Banchero and the rest of the Alaska Aces have heard a mouthful from their coach, and they're likely try to work hard for a turnaround.
And Game Two could only be a tougher match. (SB)
