MERALCO takes on Blackwater at the start of the quarterfinal stage today with the Bolts setting their sights accomplishing what they failed to pull off last season in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bolts finished on top with a 9-2 won-lost record after beating grand slam-seeking San Miguel Beer, 104-101, last Sunday night. They take the floor with a twice-to-beat advantage over the Elite at 4:15 p.m.
Fourth seed Star, on the other hand, battles fifth-running NLEX at 7 p.m., with the Hotshots only needing to win today to go deeper into the playoffs. Both teams finished the eliminations with 7-4 cards.
Despite the advantage, Meralco Coach Norman Black said they need to bump off complacency.
“The focus now is to prepare for Blackwater because you know they’ve played well in this conference,” said Black, as he stressed Elite import Henry Walker could be unstoppable at any given time.
Walker hoisted Blackwater from a 0-3 start to a 5-3 record since he replaced Trevis Simpson.
The product of Kansas State has averaged 27.5 points, 16.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists, giving the Elite the needed numbers to finish the eliminations with a 5-6 record and qualify to the quarterfinals.
“They have one of the best imports in the conference so we have to be really ready for them,” Black said.
Meralco, however, has its own weapon, Allen Durham, the reigning Best Import who was vital in their victory over San Miguel Beer.