EXPECTATIONS of Akil Mitchell coming up with another monster game are rife when he tries to lead a badly depleted Meralco side against Phoenix Friday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Coach Luigi Trillo surely hopes so, considering he would be missing some injured key players going to the match marking the Bolts' opening game in the mid-season tournament.
"We'll be limping in. Parang nagkasunod-sunod mga injuries namin," said Trillo on the eve of the match which has Meralco playing without Allein Maliksi (knee), CJ Cansino (sprain), and Brandon Bates, Chris Banchero and Jolo Mendoza (hamstring).
Even Kurt Reyson, a second-round pick in the last Rookie Draft, will join the team only sometime next month while the banged-up Bong Quinto is listed as day-to-day.
Still, Trillo remains positive. "We have enough guys to contribute," he said. "Our situation now gives the other guys the opportunity to get minutes and play."
Sponsored content:
A very welcome news is that Aaron Black, who played only two games in the last Governors Cup before being sidelined by a knee injury, is good enough to return to action.
Gilas standout Chris Newsome, Raymond Almazan, Anjo Caram and Norbert Torres lead the list of locals Trillo is sure to rely on, but he's most excited about Mitchell.
"He can fit in very well sa PBA," said Trillo of the 32-year-old American-Panamanian, listed at 6-9 and 234 lbs, who went ballistic for 33 points and 22 rebounds for Meralco in its opening game against Busan KCC Egis in the current EASL season earlier this month.
"He's defense-oriented and he does a lot of the things that I think can make him successful here. He's experienced. It's very hard to find a big guy who can defend the perimeter, that can run, that can block shots," added Trillo.
"Parang he's a bigger Cliff Hodge. He just came from China and parang na-e-excite siya dito. He loves the challenge," Trillo also said. "Titingnan natin."
Sponsored content:
Phoenix is coming off an 87-102 loss to guest team Eastern just last Wednesday and Trillo is certain the Fuel Masters would be coming out with more purpose and game this time around.
"I'm sure they'll try to come out with a better showing. We expect that," said Trillo.
"We're sure they are not happy sa ipinakita nila sa first game. They're a team that uses a lot of players and they're unpredictable in what they do so we have to adjust quickly on the fly."(NC)
