The Meralco Bolts have become so hard to stop at this point.
From being a team who were once on the brink of being booted out, as they started the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup with a 1-6 card, the Bolts have collected their seventh consecutive victory at the expense of the Alaska Aces this Sunday.
Their seventh straight win means a lot for the Orangemen, as it has propelled them to a 1-0 lead over the Aces in their semifinal series – two more wins, and the MVP Group-owned franchise will be in the Finals for the third straight time.
“I think we’re in a groove right now. Everybody’s peaking at the right time,” said import Allen Durham moments after their 97-92 win at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, where he poured 32 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
“We’re playing well right now so hopefully we just keep going and ride this winning streak out for as long as we can,” added the reigning, two-time Governors’ Cup Best Import.
When the Bolts went down 1-6, every game after became do-or-die. This semis series is a small break from the pressure, but for Durham, they’re not going to relax, as that’s what keeps them on the groove.
“It is kinda nice to relax a little bit but we don’t want to relax,” the native of Wyoming, Michigan said.
“It’s been working for us, to keep the intensity up and keep playing the way we’ve been playing so we’re gonna keep trying that mentality that we’ve been having the past few games.”
Now, their sights are set on Game Two this Tuesday, November 13, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, as they are expecting nothing less than a fightback from the Aces, who are pressed to avoid going down in a 0-2 hole.
“Alaska is a great team. They had twice-to-beat and they’ve been on top of the conference all of the eliminations,” the 30-year-old Durham said.
“We know they’ll come out stronger in Game Two and we gotta be able to match that.”
