The odds looked to be in the Meralco Bolts’ favor on Sunday night, when the TNT KaTropa did not have import Mike Glover – the 6-foot-5 import was actually nowhere to be found inside the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Glover had already been sent back home due to his underwhelming outing versus the NLEX Road Warriors back in the 2018 Governors’ Cup opener last Friday, as he only had 11 points and 15 rebounds. TNT lost then, 90-103.
However, fate had other plans.
Even with reigning, two-time Best Import Allen Durham at the forefront of their attack, the Bolts were not able to take full advantage of the circumstances, as they bowed to Terrence Romeo and an all-Filipino KaTropa, 90-92.
Given that, Meralco head coach Norman Black admitted that he’s a bit embarrassed with the result.
“I am a little embarrassed with the outcome. Playing a team without an import, it’s a game that we should have won. Honestly, it’s a little embarrassing,” said the outspoken Black. “That should have been our advantage.
“That should have been their problem, playing without an import.”
The Bolts had a clear chance of winning over their sister teams, but the Texters did not flinch. TNT managed to overcome Meralco’s three-point deficit by unfurling a 10-2 blitz to post a 92-87 lead with 10.1 seconds left to play.
“Considering that we have the best import, we should have beaten them,” said the veteran bench strategist. “Credit to Talk ‘N Text ’cause they really played well.
“But playing without an import, it’s a game we should have won.”
