A COMBINATION of sheer luck and hard work carried Blackwater over a highly touted foe its last time out.
For sure, it would take another yeoman's effort on the part of the Elite, plus some breaks coming their way, if they hope to pass another severe test in the bristling Meralco Bolts Friday in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
A second straight win by Blackwater would jack its record to an even 3-3 and push it into a tie for fifth with idle Columbian and Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok.
But Meralco is raring to bounce back from a 113-116 loss to TNT last Saturday, when the Bolts blew as much as a 19-point lead.
Meralco is sure to have learned its lesson from that bitter experience and should have prepared enough to pull off its fourth win against two defeats.
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"We would have to be at our best again against a very good team like Meralco," said Blackwater coach Aris Dimaunahan.
"Ang dagdag-hirap lang dito, we have less than 24 hours to do a quick turnaround and I just hope it would be enough," Dimaunahan added.
Dimaunahan spoke shortly after his Elite notched a 95-89 victory over defending champion Magnolia last Wednesday, when the Hotshots played minus Romeo Travis.
The one-time Best Import awardee did suit up, but Magnolia's coaches opted to sit him out to quicken the healing process of the sprain he suffered in the course of an 89-90 loss to San Miguel Beer last Friday.
"Sobrang suwerte kami ngayong gabi dahil medyo bawas 'yung kailangan naming depensahan," admitted Dimaunahan.
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"But, nevertheless, I give our guys credit for staying with the game plan and playing very, very well tonight."
It also didn't hurt that Dimaunahan, his staff and management also decided on having Marqus Blakely finish out the rest of the tournament and let go of original choice Aaron Fuller.
After recovering from the sprain that sidelined him in the Elite's first three games, Fuller finally saw action against Columbian earlier last Friday and tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots but they still lost 90-102.
Against a Magnolia team which he helped complete a Grand Slam in the 2013-14 season, when it was still known as B-Meg, Blakely had 21 points, 13 rebounds, five steals and three assists that negated his six turnovers.
Meralco has Allen Durham, however.
The two-time Best Import awardee has been averaging 29.60 points, 6.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds and, together with Raymond Almazan (15.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.40 blocks) spearhead a formidable Bolts frontline. (NC)
