NOW is the time for Meralco's locals to step up in a big way.
The Bolts should, for they are parading a new import unfamiliar with the style of play here when they take on streaking TNT in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special of the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The KaTropa are gunning for a fourth straight win and sixth in seven games overall that would give them at least a share of the lead with Blackwater, depending on the result of the Elite's game against Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok later Friday.
His TNT team maintaining its razor-sharp focus, much like what it did in beating defending champion Barangay Ginebra, 2017 holder San Miguel Beer and recent Philippine Cup semifinalist Phoenix, is the main concern of coach Bong Ravena.
"Stay in the game no matter what," stressed Ravena.
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A relative unknown awaits the KaTropa.
No less than Meralco coach Norman Black said Friday that Jimmie Taylor has come in to at least temporarily take over from the hobbling Gani Lawal.
Taylor is a 23-year-old former Alabama standout who, after going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft, saw action for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Greece and, most recently, Poland.
"Our import, Gani Lawal, has been bothered by a hamstring injury lately so we have placed him in the injured list and we have brought in a new import by the name of Jimmie Taylor," related Black on the eve of the match.
"Jimmie will play versus TNT. He is 6'9, 250 lbs and is a defensive presence in the paint area," added Black of Taylor, who finished sixth all-time in Crimson Tide history with 205 blocks in 133 games.
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Taylor should live up to expectations if Meralco hopes to bounce back from a tough 89-93 loss to Alaska last Saturday and improve to 4-3.
"TNT is one of the hottest teams in the league, so the game will be a big test," offered Black. "The biggest challenge will be to try and slow down (import Terrence) Jones while not allowing their 3-point shooters too much space in the perimeter."
Indeed, Jones has played the lead role in TNT's surge, averaging 31.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.83 blocks per game.
And when the former Houston Rocket is not scoring as much, like in the game against the Gin Kings when he only had 16 points, there is Roger Pogoy.
After averaging just 7.5 points in the KaTropa's first two games Pogoy has been on a tear the last four games, norming 25.75 points capped by a 38-point, 10-triple game against Ginebra.
"Locating Pogoy will be a priority as he has been red-hot lately," noted Black. (NC)
