The unexpected resurgence of the Meralco Bolts last conference can only be attributed to two things: defense and import Arinze Onuaku.
After second overall in the standings, the Bolts are No. 1 in field goal percentage allowed with teams shooting only 40.1 percent against Meralco and they’re No. 1 in three-point field goal percentage allowed at 30.5 percent.
Because Meralco’s offense hasn’t been on target, the Bolts aren’t blasting opponents out of the gym. Their average winning margin is less than 5 points. But Black isn’t complaining.
The Bolts are No. 1 in points allowed with only 88 a game and No. 2 in assists, rebounds and second chance points allowed. The other stat that should warm Black’s heart is the Bolts are averaging 50.8 boards, No. 2 in the league, and that opens the window for Meralco to dictate the tempo in a game.
Black’s rotation has also been superb. Six players are logging at least 20 minutes and 10, at least 15, so nobody has the monopoly of time except, of course, Onuaku who’s clearly earning every cent of his paycheck by averaging 42.4 minutes. He also averaged 18.7 points, 17.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while leading the league in field goal percentage after getting majority of his shots near the basket.
Black isn’t relying exclusively on Onuaku to make waves in the last conference. Three locals are averaging in twin digit points – rookie Chris Newsome 12, Jared Dillinger 11.4 without a start and Cliff Hodge 10.6.
Veteran Jimmy Alapag hasn’t hit his stride but he’s clearly influencing the development of rookie Baser Amer and Anjo Caram. Starter Bryan Faundo is an import defender and a bruiser with a mid-range shot. Black’s reserve corps of Amer, Reynel Hugnatan, Dillinger, Ken Bono, Kelly Nabong and Ronjay Buenafe is as deep as any other second unit in the league so that’s a boost, too.
After second overall in the standings, the Bolts are No. 1 in field goal percentage allowed with teams shooting only 40.1 percent against Meralco and they’re No. 1 in three-point field goal percentage allowed at 30.5 percent.
Because Meralco’s offense hasn’t been on target, the Bolts aren’t blasting opponents out of the gym. Their average winning margin is less than 5 points. But Black isn’t complaining.
The Bolts are No. 1 in points allowed with only 88 a game and No. 2 in assists, rebounds and second chance points allowed. The other stat that should warm Black’s heart is the Bolts are averaging 50.8 boards, No. 2 in the league, and that opens the window for Meralco to dictate the tempo in a game.
Black’s rotation has also been superb. Six players are logging at least 20 minutes and 10, at least 15, so nobody has the monopoly of time except, of course, Onuaku who’s clearly earning every cent of his paycheck by averaging 42.4 minutes. He also averaged 18.7 points, 17.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while leading the league in field goal percentage after getting majority of his shots near the basket.
Black isn’t relying exclusively on Onuaku to make waves in the last conference. Three locals are averaging in twin digit points – rookie Chris Newsome 12, Jared Dillinger 11.4 without a start and Cliff Hodge 10.6.
Veteran Jimmy Alapag hasn’t hit his stride but he’s clearly influencing the development of rookie Baser Amer and Anjo Caram. Starter Bryan Faundo is an import defender and a bruiser with a mid-range shot. Black’s reserve corps of Amer, Reynel Hugnatan, Dillinger, Ken Bono, Kelly Nabong and Ronjay Buenafe is as deep as any other second unit in the league so that’s a boost, too.
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