MANILA, Philippines — Meralco continues its grueling schedule as the team left Manila on Monday to shift gear and prepare for the East Asia Super League home-and-away Season 3 where it plays its first away game in Okinawa, Japan against the Ryukyu Golden Kings.
The Bolts closed their tough two-week schedule to begin the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup with three straight wins after dropping their first two games.
The three consecutive victories saw the Bolts claim the scalp of the Blackwater Bossing, 105-96, followed by a come-from-behind win against the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 89-75, before squeaking past the Magnolia Hotshots last Sunday, 78-76.
Meralco opened the season with a 96-100 loss to newcomer Titan Ultra, followed by a heartbreaking 96-95 overtime defeat to Rain or Shine.
“This is a testament to the team’s character. And it would be nice to get one more win as we move to Okinawa. We’ll be leaving (Monday) morning,” said coach Luigi Trillo during the post-game interview Sunday night.
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Trillo said the team will just have to make a radical shift in their mindset since playing in the EASL requires adjusting to a new playing environment as well as playing with three reinforcements.
In Japan, the Bolts will have two of the PBA’s most explosive imports reinforcing them— Rondae Hollis Jefferson and Justin Brownlee, along with Puerto Rican big Ismael Romero.
Hollis-Jefferson and Co. have had a few days of practice with Meralco, but the locals will just have to fast track anything given to them as they try to work and play together with their three reinforcements.
“But this is the schedule given to us. And we’re used to this. Last year we played in the BCL (Basketball Champions League), and the EASL. So we’re used to playing multiple games,” said the 2013 PBA Coach of the Year.
“We’re also used to travel like this. But it doesn’t mean that we’re used to it na we wish to get the W. It’s nice that we got three straight. So sana that might be a good omen moving to Okinawa.”
AloJapan.com