There will be several changes at the Meralco Bolts camp when the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) second conference of the season starts on 10 February 2010. Both the roster and the coaching staff got a boost when key transactions and positioning were made by the management.
First to be overhauled was the point guard position when Chico Lanete was sent to the Barako Bull in exchange for Paul Artadi.
"Basically, the trade was initiated because we need somebody who can start the fastbreak," Meralco Bolts team manager Virgil Villavicencio told InterAKTV. "Since Chris Ross is OK now, we felt we need a fast player who can run alongside Sol Mercado."
Meralco later sent Nelbert Omolon and Mark Isip to Air21 (formerly Shopinas.com) to get the services of
Dennis Daa, Mark Canlas and a future draft pick.
Omolon was a member of the PBA mythical second team with Sta. Lucia in 2008, but is averaging a career-low 4.1 points per game this season. Isip, meanwhile, will be playing for his seventh team in six seasons when his transfer to the Express becomes complete. Prior to the Bolts, the forward out of FEU also played for Sta. Lucia, Coca-Cola, Rain or Shine, Talk 'N Text, and Barako Bull.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said the trade allows the franchise to "secure our future by getting a first round pick in next year's draft."
Contented with its roster, Meralco added Jong Uichico to the team as a consultant. Uichico gave up his positions at Barangay Ginebra as co-coach and La Salle as consultant in the process. He said if offered to join the Ateneo coaching staff, he will decline. Calling it a leap of faith, Uichico said he decided to join the Gilas national team and Meralco on a three-year contract within two weeks after the offer was made by Talk ‘N’ Text PBA governor Patrick Gregorio.
"Jong's read of the game is fantastic," said Gregorio. "He gives our team an entirely different perspective. He's definitely a welcome addition to our staff. Jong’s a good man so that’s a good starting point. Combining it with his championship experience and understanding of the game really makes him an asset to what we are trying to accomplish. After I formally introduced him to the team, everyone welcomed him with open arms. All along, I thought that I had adequate knowledge of the game but after hearing his thoughts about strategies, offensive and defensive preparations, I realized that I still have a long way to go."
Gregorio said Uichico's presence brings immediate stability to the team. "Jong creates a different perspective in the way we are rebuilding this young franchise," continued Gregorio. "I am re-educated every time I talk to him. The best part about him is that he is willing to share everything that he knows to improve our chances of winning. Fellow coaches Ronnie (Magsanoc), Boyet (Fernandez), Pat (Fran), Xavy (Nunag) and Alton (Lister) are all excited about his arrival."
Meralco hasn't qualified for the semifinals in four conferences since joining the PBA two years ago. The Bolts posted an overall record of 13-20 last season and an 8-7 mark before bowing out of contention in the ongoing Philippine Cup.
Below is the complete schedule of the Bolt's games this second conference:
Oct 7 – Friday YNARES CENTER
7:45 P.M.
Meralco Bolts vs. Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters
Feb 10 – Friday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
7:30 P.M.
B-Meg Llamados vs Meralco Bolts
Feb 15 – Wednesday CUNETA ASTRODOME
7:30 P.M.
Meralco Bolts vs Petro Blaze Boosters
Feb 17 – Friday CUNETA ASTRODOME
5:15 P.M.
Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters vs Meralco Bolts
Feb 26 – Sunday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
4:15 P.M.
Powerade Tigers vs Meralco Bolts
Mar 2 – Friday CUNETA ASTRODOME
5:15 P.M.
Meralco Bolts vs Alaska Aces
Mar 7 – Wednesday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
7:30 P.M.
Brgy. Ginebra Kings vs Meralco Bolts
Mar 11 – Sunday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
4:15 P.M.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs Meralco Bolts
Mar 17 – Saturday TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE
6:45 P.M.
Meralco Bolts vs Barako Bull Eenergy
Mar 23 – Friday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
5:15 P.M.
Air 21 Express vs Meralco Bolts
First to be overhauled was the point guard position when Chico Lanete was sent to the Barako Bull in exchange for Paul Artadi.
"Basically, the trade was initiated because we need somebody who can start the fastbreak," Meralco Bolts team manager Virgil Villavicencio told InterAKTV. "Since Chris Ross is OK now, we felt we need a fast player who can run alongside Sol Mercado."
Meralco later sent Nelbert Omolon and Mark Isip to Air21 (formerly Shopinas.com) to get the services of
Dennis Daa, Mark Canlas and a future draft pick.
Omolon was a member of the PBA mythical second team with Sta. Lucia in 2008, but is averaging a career-low 4.1 points per game this season. Isip, meanwhile, will be playing for his seventh team in six seasons when his transfer to the Express becomes complete. Prior to the Bolts, the forward out of FEU also played for Sta. Lucia, Coca-Cola, Rain or Shine, Talk 'N Text, and Barako Bull.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said the trade allows the franchise to "secure our future by getting a first round pick in next year's draft."
Contented with its roster, Meralco added Jong Uichico to the team as a consultant. Uichico gave up his positions at Barangay Ginebra as co-coach and La Salle as consultant in the process. He said if offered to join the Ateneo coaching staff, he will decline. Calling it a leap of faith, Uichico said he decided to join the Gilas national team and Meralco on a three-year contract within two weeks after the offer was made by Talk ‘N’ Text PBA governor Patrick Gregorio.
"Jong's read of the game is fantastic," said Gregorio. "He gives our team an entirely different perspective. He's definitely a welcome addition to our staff. Jong’s a good man so that’s a good starting point. Combining it with his championship experience and understanding of the game really makes him an asset to what we are trying to accomplish. After I formally introduced him to the team, everyone welcomed him with open arms. All along, I thought that I had adequate knowledge of the game but after hearing his thoughts about strategies, offensive and defensive preparations, I realized that I still have a long way to go."
Gregorio said Uichico's presence brings immediate stability to the team. "Jong creates a different perspective in the way we are rebuilding this young franchise," continued Gregorio. "I am re-educated every time I talk to him. The best part about him is that he is willing to share everything that he knows to improve our chances of winning. Fellow coaches Ronnie (Magsanoc), Boyet (Fernandez), Pat (Fran), Xavy (Nunag) and Alton (Lister) are all excited about his arrival."
Meralco hasn't qualified for the semifinals in four conferences since joining the PBA two years ago. The Bolts posted an overall record of 13-20 last season and an 8-7 mark before bowing out of contention in the ongoing Philippine Cup.
Below is the complete schedule of the Bolt's games this second conference:
Oct 7 – Friday YNARES CENTER
7:45 P.M.
Meralco Bolts vs. Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters
Feb 10 – Friday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
7:30 P.M.
B-Meg Llamados vs Meralco Bolts
Feb 15 – Wednesday CUNETA ASTRODOME
7:30 P.M.
Meralco Bolts vs Petro Blaze Boosters
Feb 17 – Friday CUNETA ASTRODOME
5:15 P.M.
Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters vs Meralco Bolts
Feb 26 – Sunday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
4:15 P.M.
Powerade Tigers vs Meralco Bolts
Mar 2 – Friday CUNETA ASTRODOME
5:15 P.M.
Meralco Bolts vs Alaska Aces
Mar 7 – Wednesday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
7:30 P.M.
Brgy. Ginebra Kings vs Meralco Bolts
Mar 11 – Sunday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
4:15 P.M.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs Meralco Bolts
Mar 17 – Saturday TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE
6:45 P.M.
Meralco Bolts vs Barako Bull Eenergy
Mar 23 – Friday SMART-ARANETA COLISEUM
5:15 P.M.
Air 21 Express vs Meralco Bolts
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