The Meralco Bolts

The Meralco Bolts underwhelmed in Game 1 but was able to bounce back in Game 2 through a dominating, 114-94 win. Head coach Norman Black and his men came out with a ton of energy right from the tip and never looked back, reminding everyone that they are a well-oiled team that’s capable of rising from tepid performances. They also survived turning the ball over 22 times by being efficient from beyond the arc, where they knocked down 16 of 32 attempts.

The Bolts will now be carrying better momentum for the all-important Game 3 of the best-of-five series, and we can look for import Allen Durham to once again do much of the heavy lifting. He logged a monstrous triple-double in Game 2 (44 pts, 19 rebs, 11 asst) and now averages 39.6 points, 17.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game in three total match-ups with the TNT KaTropa this conference (two from this series and one from the regular season).

Big man Raymond Almazan has been Durham’s most consistent aid all conference long (14.5 PPG, 12 RPG) but we can also look for the backcourt tandem of Baser Amer and Chris Newsome to contribute decently. Amer is coming off a 20-point night in Game 2 while Newsome is the only local Meralco Bolt to score in double-figures in all three meetings with TNT this conference.

The TNT KaTropa

Game 2 was a night to forget for TNT. They were smothered by the Bolts and simply couldn’t get into any kind of rhythm for the entirety of the contest. The 20-point loss and woeful 35% shooting clip from the floor were both conference-worsts.

Import KJ McDaniels was basically by himself in the said defeat as he scored 51 of the team’s 94 points. It was his second 51-point explosion on the Bolts this conference (46.6 PPG in three meetings), and it’s been well-established that the former NBA cager can score in bunches – with ferocious authority at that. As we all know, however, one-man scoring attacks rarely work, especially in the playoffs. We’ll keep witnessing McDaniels light up the scoreboard since he’s the most athletic and arguably strongest player every time he’s on the floor, but the locals will simply have to do better.

The onus to be a reliable second scoring option is on TNT newcomer, Ray Ray Parks. Deemed to be the team’s future, the 26-year-old and his wide offensive skillset was shackled in Game 2 as he shot just 3-for-11 for 12 points.

Guards Roger Pogoy and TNT legend Jayson Castro are also on the hot seat to bounce back. The two were solid in Game 1, chipping in 18 and 17 points, respectively, but followed it up with an absolute stinker of a Game 2 by missing all of their 15 combined shots.

PREDICTION:

The Bolts ride their momentum from the previous game and earn a 110-105 victory.

A scoring duel between Durham and McDaniels is automatic, so expect it to be there.