HOW temporary replacement import Zach Lofton can fill up a very big void in Meralco--and against a rampaging NorthPort crew that is welcoming back a very key piece--would be answered Sunday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Both the Bolts and the Batang Pier are looking for a third straight win that should jack their respective records and bolster their chances of making it among the top four rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage in the ensuing eight-team quarterfinals. The teams battle at 3 p.m.
Getting that bounty is a huge bonus in itself for NorthPort, considering its primary goal was simply making it to the playoffs following the 11-game eliminations.
For Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan, however, his team's focus of taking it one game at a time should remain even though they are playing a third game in five days.
"We're just challenging our players," said Tan following a 115-101 shocker over San Miguel Beer last Friday that came on the heels of a 111-95 traipse over Converge.
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"Ang challenge ko sa kanila is to get at least two out of three. At least naka-dalawa na," added Tan, whose team now totes a 5-2 slate.
What should enhance NorthPort's chances is that import Venky Jois sat out the SMB game to better recover from tightness on his left hamstring but should be good to go against Meralco.
In six previous games, the Australian-Indian averaged 28.2 points, 15.2 rebounds, 4.83 assists, and 2.0 blocks.
"He'll be 100 percent sa Sunday's game. He said he'll be okay and he knows his body very well," related Tan.
The Bolts have a bigger concern. Lofton has been tapped to stand in while management waits for a reinforcement who would permanently take over from original import Su Braimoh, who boosted them to a 4-1 record but now out after suffering a torn Achilles in the dying minutes of a 97-94 squeaker over NLEX last Sunday.
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Lofton is a familiar face for Meralco, being one of its reinforcements in its concurrent EASL campaign. But being listed at just 6-4 and a natural shooting guard, it remains to be seen how he fares in a tourney with a 6-9 height ceiling for imports and in a Bolts crew that has a slew of guards.
One very good news for Meralco is the fact that top wingman Allein Maliksi is set to make his return after a three-week absence due to a nasal fracture he suffered during a win over Blackwater last Nov. 11. (NC)
