What Can We Expect From Meralco This Season?

In last year's Philippine Cup, Meralco found itself at 3-5 before they found a spark, turn things around and won the Championship against the San Miguel Beermen. This year, they found themselves with the same mark as last year, but failed to duplicate their luck.

What happened? It was a combination of inconsistent plays, lack of urgency and unexpected injuries. Veteran Allein Maliksi has was ruled out of Meralco's Philippine Cup title defense, leaving the Bolts without one of the stalwarts from their champion crew.

Rookie CJ Cansino tried to fill that role and showed some glimpse of brilliance after averaging 17 points on an elite 85.7 TS% in just 20 minutes per game. However, the drive was not there. The fire in their eyes is diminishing.

Brandon Bates, who showed some promises last year with a game average of 3.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and a stellar defensive stance in the paint failed to improve his numbers. They are still almost the same this years, 3.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game.

The old reliables in the All-Filipino Cup are still the same. Chris Banchero averaged 16.9 points per game, 2.7 assists and 50 percent from the field. Chris Newsome brings with him 16.6 points, 3.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game, while Bong Quinto averaged 12.8 points, 3.0 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Cliff Hodge, who is considered the soul of the team, gives them 9.9 points, 2.7 assists and 6.64 rebounds per game. This is over and above the hustle and defense he provides consistently. When everyone is cold in scoring, expect the high-octane Hodge to fill in those shoes, which he used to do in the amateurs.

Aside from that, nobody is stepping up consistently. Raymond Alamazan, fresh from signing an extension, should step up and prove to the management that they are right in putting their trust in him. Bates need to improve his numbers every season and dominate the paint with his size and heft.

If Aaron Black cannot provide energy from the bench, maybe it is time for Anjo Caram to move ahead of him in the rotation.

If things stay the way they are, there might be no second trophy in the near future, unless the new draftees and trade market can provide a better alternative for the Bolts.