Import Gani Lawal was more trusting and his local teammates were all too obliging, leading to Meralco's 101-92 victory over Columbian last 24 May in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Lawal scored 25 points on just 16 shots, 20 less than in his initial game, while fellow starters Baser Amer, Trevis Jackson, Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge all finished in double figures as the Bolts completed the wire-to-wire win.
Meralco coach Norman Black was obviously pleased with his team's bounce-back performance from a sorry 91-94 overtime loss to Blackwater last Sunday, when only Mike Tolomia was the lone other double-digit scorer other than Lawal.
"Today we did a lot better, offensively and defensively," said Black.
"I thought our teamwork on offense, particularly with Gani... He did not really dominate the offense so much this time, but with everybody sharing the basketball and everybody being part of the offense really helped us in this game.
"That's something we hope to do in our future games, share the wealth, so to say, so everybody can get involved."
Black also said Lawal's turnaround was the product of a chat he had with his import.
"I think I was able to convince Gani that he does have decent outside shooters so when he gets doubble-teamed or triple-teamed inside the post he can just move the ball out and his teammates will help him win the game," related Black.
"Hats off to Gani for playing much better team ball tonight."
Lawal also finished with 27 rebounds, helping Meralco emerge with a whopping 63-47 advantage off the boards.
"Also, on the other end, he did a great job controlling the rebounds. He got 18 rebounds in the half so that's something we really need this conference."
Lawal scored 25 points on just 16 shots, 20 less than in his initial game, while fellow starters Baser Amer, Trevis Jackson, Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge all finished in double figures as the Bolts completed the wire-to-wire win.
Meralco coach Norman Black was obviously pleased with his team's bounce-back performance from a sorry 91-94 overtime loss to Blackwater last Sunday, when only Mike Tolomia was the lone other double-digit scorer other than Lawal.
"Today we did a lot better, offensively and defensively," said Black.
"I thought our teamwork on offense, particularly with Gani... He did not really dominate the offense so much this time, but with everybody sharing the basketball and everybody being part of the offense really helped us in this game.
"That's something we hope to do in our future games, share the wealth, so to say, so everybody can get involved."
Black also said Lawal's turnaround was the product of a chat he had with his import.
"I think I was able to convince Gani that he does have decent outside shooters so when he gets doubble-teamed or triple-teamed inside the post he can just move the ball out and his teammates will help him win the game," related Black.
"Hats off to Gani for playing much better team ball tonight."
Lawal also finished with 27 rebounds, helping Meralco emerge with a whopping 63-47 advantage off the boards.
"Also, on the other end, he did a great job controlling the rebounds. He got 18 rebounds in the half so that's something we really need this conference."
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