For Gani Lawal, their outing against the Columbian Dyip is a sign of things to come if Meralco gets its act together.
Coming off a heartbreaker last Sunday against Blackwater, the Bolts venting their ire on Columbian Dyip, 101-92, for their first win in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Lawal was clearly at the forefront of the Orangemen’s attack with 25 points and 27 rebounds, but it was not just him who made huge contributions as his fellow starters did damage as well by each producing double-digit scores.
Baser Amer provided 21 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Rookie Trevis Jackson, who started for the second straight time, made his presence felt with 17 points, four dimes, three rebounds, and two steals as well.
Chris Newsome had 12 points, seven boards, and four dimes, as Cliff Hodge added 10 markers and six caroms.
“We came out today, we played, we moved the ball well, I didn’t force it as much. We had five guys in double figures,” said Lawal after the win that hiked their card to 1-1.
“When we’re doing that, we’re a tough team to beat.”
As for himself, Lawal has seemingly been adjusting well with the PBA’s style of play. The Nigerian-American center said that he really is, and it feels satisfying to do so while walking away with the victory in their bag.
“I’m just trying to feel my way through, but definitely feels a lot better to feel your way through on a win than a tough loss on overtime. After that loss last week against Blackwater, I was ready to play the next day,” he said.
“I got home, looked at the film, made some adjustments.”
Meralco will already play their third game this Sunday against rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Lawal looks forward to it, but more than that is the challenge for the Bolts, as it will help the Bolts determine where they are right now.
“I’m excited. If you try to move forward and call yourself the best, you have to beat the best. And when we play against the best, it’s a great test. Every game has its own, I guess, personality. Because tonight is about bouncing back,” said the 46th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
“On Sunday, it’s going to be about, ‘Let’s see where we match up, let’s see where we stack.’ This is a team that is battle-tested, they won a championship. If we’re going to try to become the team we want to become, this is the type of team we’re going to have to beat.”
