Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Norman Black lauds Meralco’s spirit: ‘My guys are very determined and stubborn’


Meralco should’ve been dead in the water midway through the season, as they figured in a 1-6 start. But don’t tell that to the Bolts.

Last October 12, Meralco were handed a devastating 94-99 loss at the hands of the hapless Northport Batang Pier. And that served as a rallying point for the two-time Governors’ Cup runners-up.

“We weren’t just clicking. Well, then our defense started to turn around – the guys started to buy in into the defensive system, principles, and philosophy,” recalled Bolts head coach Norman Black.

“All of a sudden we defended well, which gave us a chance to win our games.”

There has been no room for errors for the Bolts since then. A loss would have ended their season right then and there.

A morale-boosting win over the NLEX Road Warriors last October 14 provided a spark that would lead to victories over the Magnolia Hotshots, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and the San Miguel Beermen to clinch the final playoff slot.

Then, standing in their way were the second-seeded Phoenix Fuel Masters. And the Bolts needed to overcome them twice to make it to the Final Four.

Making matters worse, Cliff Hodge, a wide-bodied stopper, succumbed to an ankle injury early in Game One.

But pride took over for the Bolts.

“This is a conference where we’ve actually done well the past two years with Allen Durham and it would be pretty bad for us if we’re eliminated immediately,” the 11-time champion coach quipped.

“That’s why everybody’s been fighting.”

After stunning the Fuel Masters in a masterful Game One rout, the Bolts needed to dig deep in Game 2. And they were able to storm back from 16 down to take down Phoenix in overtime, 108-103.

“My guys have been very determined and very stubborn in terms of what they want to accomplish.

“And I’m sure they’ll continue to do that. It’s difficult not to,” he beamed as the Bolts survived six elimination games to get to this point.

#ReadMore  Russel Escoto raring to get back in the fold for Kia, Gilas

Still, Meralco will not be celebrating this one, as they continue on to settle some unfinished business.

Written By




You May Also Like

ADMU

At just 26 years old, Sandro Soriano has already walked the path most coaches spend decades trying to pave. From being a student manager...

Basketball

The wait was indeed worth it for San Miguel. After a full year, the Beermen finally got back at the very same team that...

Basketball

DUBAI – Meralco collapsed in the third and ultimately bowed to Ulaanbaatar Xac, 83-78, in a bitter end to its Basketball Champions League Asia...

Basketball

DUBAI – Meralco is preparing to face another team from East Asia in the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) 2025 quarterfinals on June...

Basketball

DUBAI — Jordon Varnado and Meralco heard all the criticisms thrown their way and the whole team took it personally, from the looks of...

Basketball

DUBAI — Meralco punched its ticket to the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCLAsia) 2025 quarterfinals following a resounding 97-86 win over Utsunomiya on Sunday...

Basketball

DUBAI – Meralco fizzled out and ultimately bowed to Shabab Al Ahli, 101-87, in a rough start to its Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL...

Basketball

Meralco will be leaning on reinforcements that boast of Basketball Champions League (BCL) experience as it goes up against Asia’s best in Dubai. The...

Advertisement