31 March 2012

Preview: Bolts vs B-MEG

Preview: Bolts vs B-MEG
The Meralco Bolts are slowly proving that they have what it takes to make a legitimate run at a PBA championship this season before the team as we know and love are broken up and rebuild next season to give way to the influx of talented pool of rookies. They just eliminated the Powerade Tigers in a close match-up by silencing the guns of Gary David, the league's highest scoring local.

The B-MEG Llalmados should prove to be a suitable opponent before they entertain any idea of advancing to the semifinal round against crowd favorite Ginebra Kings. If B-MEG's James Yap is on top of his game and Macmac Cardona along with Asi Taulava struggles, the best-of-three series can quickly go in a direction Bolts fans would not be happy to see.

The matchup ...

The Meralco Bolts will take on the B-MEG Llamados at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, 1 April 2012 at 6:30 P.M. EDT.

The standings ...

The Bolts comes into the game having won their last two games, including a do-or-die match with last Conference's runner-up, Powerade Tigers. They have won four of their last five games, but this is their first time to barge into the quarterfinals round in an import-laden conference.

The Llamandos enters the matchup having lost their chance to get a semifinals slot when they lost to the Ginebra Gin kings. They have won three of their five games.

The season series ...

This is the second meeting between the two teams after the Llamados won 96-93 the first match. The Bolts were not able to contain B-Meg import Denzel Bowles as the 6-foot-10 European league veteran churned out 27 points and 11 rebounds in a solid PBA debut. However, the Bolts were still reinforced by Jarrid Famous then. The Bowles has not competed with Earl Barron yet and may find it hard to adjust against the 7-foot legitimate center.

Who to watch out ...

Macmac Cardona of the Bolts exploded for 32 points in their first meeting and is expected to continue to carry most of the offensive burden for the Bolts. The rejuvenated Asi Taulava is also expected to play extensive minutes in the second half andwill be the main man to contain Bowles.

B-MEG's James Yap has not provided the offensive ammunition in their first meeting, but is expected to explode in the quarterfinals series. JC Intal is expected to clamped down on Cardona, while Marc Pingris will try to take on Barron.

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