IN ITS latest victory, Meralco considered itself lucky for being ranged against a team still groping for form.
The case could be starkly different Saturday when they go up against a more fine-tuned squad in Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Each combatant is looking for a third win in as many games that would give the victor at least a share of the lead, depending on how Alaska would fare against Phoenix Super LPG later in the day.
Meralco coach Norman Black knows his crew is in for a hard grind, much tougher than in their 93-87 victory over San Miguel Beer last Sunday.
"Judging by Rain or Shine's first two games their defense has been solid so we will have to execute well offensively to get a win," he said on the eve of the match.
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There is another reason why Black wants another win since the Bolts have never gone on a 3-0 start in the import-less tournament and piling those W's up is a must for a conference that offers a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals to the top two eliminations finishers.
"It's early in the conference, but it's important to ride momentum while you can," stated Black.
Why the 11-time PBA champion coach is putting emphasis on offense this time around is also perfectly understandable.
While the Bolts have been consistently making stops the Elasto Painters have also been carving a defensive niche of their own, limiting their opponents to an average of 72 points, on 34 percent field goal shooting.
Meralco's own defense has also not been a problem as it held its first two opponents down to just 89 points on a stingy 29 percent field goal shooting.
With those in mind, focus should be on how Rey Nambatac and Mac Belo, the teams' top two scorers, respectively, would fare this time around.
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Belo is averaging 17.0 points on top of seven rebounds, but should find the going tough much like in the SMB game when he was held down to only 11 points.
For his part, Nambatac has also been solid and good for 20 points and 10 rebounds an outing thus far. (NC)
