The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 45th Season started last Sunday, 8 March, and will not be back for a few weeks more because of the COVID-19 scare. However, this early, the prospects for the Meralco Bolts has not been promising.
New recruit and the source of their inside presence Raymond Almazan may be out for a few weeks, while veteran Ranidel de Ocampo is still not 100 percent back to his playing form. This lack of height exposes the vulnerability of the Bolts in the shaded lane.
The same old players will still be relied on like Baser Amer, Chris Newsome, Anjo Caram and Cliff Hodge. They will boosted by young bloodhounds namely, Bong Quinto and Nard Pinto.
Gone are KG Canaleta and young guard Mike Tolomia, but the Bolts got an on-and-off shooter Allein Maliksi and bruiser Raymar Jose in exchange.
In short, not much has changed compared to the team they had in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Last year, they came at 11th place in the Philippine Cup and eighth place Commissioner’s Cup before Allen Durham powered them to a runner-up finish in the third conference.
For four years, Meralco's opening conference played out pretty much the same way. This year, it looks like the same old results.
The routine will play out this way: The Bolts will have trouble in the Philippine Cup once again, they will appear lost as they try to figure figure out how to perform in an all-local contest.
Meralco could do better in the Commissioner's Cup, as long as they don't encounter any import troubles that could robbed them of a chance to make a run at the playoffs.
Then when the Governors' Cup is here, Meralco will bring back Durham where the multi-best import awardee will carry the team for a strong run to the Finals.
Ironically, if they face the Barangay Ginebra again, expect the Bolts to fold and settle for the silver.
There could still be some bright spots that could spell a big change for the better. Rabeh Al-Hussaini may be released by NLEX soon and the Bolts could sign him up since he played with them before. They could also tap veteran big man Jason Ballesteros to help bolster their front-line.
All is not lost, but don't expect much from the Bolts.
New recruit and the source of their inside presence Raymond Almazan may be out for a few weeks, while veteran Ranidel de Ocampo is still not 100 percent back to his playing form. This lack of height exposes the vulnerability of the Bolts in the shaded lane.
The same old players will still be relied on like Baser Amer, Chris Newsome, Anjo Caram and Cliff Hodge. They will boosted by young bloodhounds namely, Bong Quinto and Nard Pinto.
Gone are KG Canaleta and young guard Mike Tolomia, but the Bolts got an on-and-off shooter Allein Maliksi and bruiser Raymar Jose in exchange.
In short, not much has changed compared to the team they had in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Last year, they came at 11th place in the Philippine Cup and eighth place Commissioner’s Cup before Allen Durham powered them to a runner-up finish in the third conference.
For four years, Meralco's opening conference played out pretty much the same way. This year, it looks like the same old results.
The routine will play out this way: The Bolts will have trouble in the Philippine Cup once again, they will appear lost as they try to figure figure out how to perform in an all-local contest.
Meralco could do better in the Commissioner's Cup, as long as they don't encounter any import troubles that could robbed them of a chance to make a run at the playoffs.
Then when the Governors' Cup is here, Meralco will bring back Durham where the multi-best import awardee will carry the team for a strong run to the Finals.
Ironically, if they face the Barangay Ginebra again, expect the Bolts to fold and settle for the silver.
There could still be some bright spots that could spell a big change for the better. Rabeh Al-Hussaini may be released by NLEX soon and the Bolts could sign him up since he played with them before. They could also tap veteran big man Jason Ballesteros to help bolster their front-line.
All is not lost, but don't expect much from the Bolts.
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