By now Meralco Bolts' followers might have heard the news, Cliff Hodge and Ranidel de Ocampo might not be able to start playing until end of January 2018. Nico Salva and Jason Ballesteros are now members of the Bolts and Kelly Nabong is packed his bags for GlobalPort Batang Pier. So, how will Bolt's lineup look now?
Nobody in the Bolt's current roster has the ability to take over games. It was initially expected that Sophomore guard Baser Amer can fulfill this role. However, after the seven-game Governor's Cup Finals series against Barangay Ginebra, it is obvious that Amer needs to further improve his nerves in crucial moments of the game. The same can be said to his back court partner Chris Newsome,
Now, a look at the Bolts' possible starting lineup and rotation in the All-Filipino Conference, if ever it pushes through..
The starting 5:
Amer should be ripe now to exhibit vast improvement compared to his last two seasons in the league, and adding former UAAP MVP Salva is spectacular. Newsome will likely get his chance to also show some maturity, and he will bring more toughness and grit with him on the court every single night.
There were questions as to who would start between Faundo and Ballesteros, but now it's clear. Faundo should be the starter on opening night, although he still need to improve his mid-range jumpers in order to be more effective.
This is an extremely soft starting lineup, especially compared to what the other teams has to offer.
Coming off the bench:
Depending on whether Mac Baracael, 32, and KG Canaleta, 35, can crack the line-up, the second core of players can be shuffled further. With Hodge out, Ballesteris should be the main rebounder of the second unit, and when a big shot is needed, Dillinger and Hugnatan will not hesitate to take it.
Nobody in the Bolt's current roster has the ability to take over games. It was initially expected that Sophomore guard Baser Amer can fulfill this role. However, after the seven-game Governor's Cup Finals series against Barangay Ginebra, it is obvious that Amer needs to further improve his nerves in crucial moments of the game. The same can be said to his back court partner Chris Newsome,
Now, a look at the Bolts' possible starting lineup and rotation in the All-Filipino Conference, if ever it pushes through..
The starting 5:
- Baser Amer
- Chris Newsome
- Nico Salva
- Garvo Lanete
- Bryan Faundo
Amer should be ripe now to exhibit vast improvement compared to his last two seasons in the league, and adding former UAAP MVP Salva is spectacular. Newsome will likely get his chance to also show some maturity, and he will bring more toughness and grit with him on the court every single night.
There were questions as to who would start between Faundo and Ballesteros, but now it's clear. Faundo should be the starter on opening night, although he still need to improve his mid-range jumpers in order to be more effective.
This is an extremely soft starting lineup, especially compared to what the other teams has to offer.
Coming off the bench:
- Anjo Caram
- Mike Tolomia
- Jared Dillinger
- Reynel Hugnatan
- Jason Ballesteros
Depending on whether Mac Baracael, 32, and KG Canaleta, 35, can crack the line-up, the second core of players can be shuffled further. With Hodge out, Ballesteris should be the main rebounder of the second unit, and when a big shot is needed, Dillinger and Hugnatan will not hesitate to take it.
No comments:
Post a Comment