MERALCO sets out on its road to redemption Friday when it tangles with Columbian Dyip in a match kicking off the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
After finishing way below expectations in the last Commissioner's Cup, the Bolts open up their bid against the Dyip, who are themselves out for atonement for falling way short in the mid-season tourney.
The burden, however, is heavier on Meralco, which now wants to go all the way after winding up as bridesmaid to Barangay Ginebra in the last two editions of this season-ending tourney.
A flying start should help, as coach Norman Black fully knows.
"We are looking to get off to a good start this conference but we recognize that Columbian has the same goal and we know their import is a good player," stated Black, referring to Akeem Wright.
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At 33 years old and a seasoned campaigner who has strutted his stuff practically all over the world, Wright indeed poses a big challenge for Meralco's defense.
Yet reigning Best Import Allen Durham is back for a third straight tour of duty with the Bolts and is sure to be even more fired up this time.
"He arrived 10 days ago, so we are ready to go," said Black of Durham, who should once again prove crucial in Black's scheme of things starting with the match against Columbian.
"Our goals are to continue to play solid defense while speeding up our pace offensively so that we can increase our points total," said Black.
Being the underdog should help ease the burden on Columbian, to be handled by new head coach Johnedel Cardel who took over when coach Ricky Dandan resigned late last June.
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Having been a long-time assistant at the team formerly known as Kia and prior to that at GlobalPort. Cardel is sure to stick to his predecessor's guards-based, up-tempo styles of play.
The Dyip also have the tools to compete with the likes of Chris Newsome, Baser Amer, Cliff Hodge, Ranidel de Ocampo, KG Canaleta and even Bryan Faundo, reactivated in lieu of the injured Jared Dillinger.
Rashawn McCarthy, Reden Celda, Jerramy King, Eric Camson and Glen Khobuntin are sure to lead Columbian's charge with Jackson Corpuz, Carlo Lastimosa and Ronald Tubid as able backups.(NC)
