21 March 2017

When Is Chris Lutz Expected To Play?

Chris Lutz
One of the most persistent question Meralco Bolts are asking is when will the new acquisition guard Chris Lutz play?

There are official statements yet from the management, but the good news is that the former number 3 pick of the San Miguel Beermen in the 2011 Draft has been attending the Bolts' practices.

According to coach Norman Black, in an interview with Interaksyon.com, the 6-foot-3 guard has been present in their scrimmages and has been doing some light shooting outside of practice to get is rhythm back.

"He's been shooting on his own, but he has yet to join the practices. We have yet to allow him to join even on shooting drills," Black said in a telephone interview.

Lutz has been struggling with a plethora of nagging injuries for the last few years. He has yet to play a PBA game since last season’s Commissioner’s Cup and has sought treatment for his condition overseas, including a hip operation.

But the Bolts were willing to take a chance on the 32-year-old after the Beermen dropped him to the unrestricted free agent list earlier this year. Black, though, does not expect him to return until next conference at the earliest.

Despite not having Lutz available yet and an early exit in the Philippine Cup, Meralco has some reason to feel positive about their coming campaign in the new conference.

With the exception of Lutz, the Bolts will parade a healthy unit that is fully rested and ready to go.

They will also be backstopped by Alex Stepheson, a 6-foot-10 big man with some NBA experience.

Their hope is that the addition of a legitimate big man can make up for some of the team’s deficiencies in the interior – as they've proven with some success in last season's import conferences.

So far, the Bolts has 2 wins in as many games already.

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