August 05, 2017

Bolts aim for win no. 4 against slumping Picanto

Meralco, always a contender in import-laced tourneys, is at it again, shooting for win No. 4 as the Bolts take on the struggling Kia team in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

The Bolts and the Picanto clash at 6:45 p.m. then the tourney takes a brief break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ participation in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut Lebanon starting Tuesday.

Meralco and Kia are actually spared of a single player loaned to the Gilas for the Lebanon joust. The Bolts, however, lend Baser Amer to the Gilas quintet to the SEA Games basketball competition on Aug. 19-30.

The Bolts and the Picanto mix it up in a duel between a hot unbeaten team and a side winless in four starts in the season-ending tourney.

Nonetheless, Meralco coach Norman Black said they will not leave anything to chance in chase of a fourth straight win after earlier triumphs over Blackwater, Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine.

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Kia coach Chris Gavina, meanwhile, is not about to give up on his wards.

“I’ve always believed that as long as my players give their heart, body and soul towards one another, we can accomplish what others may deem impossible,” said Gavina.

“I have been really adamant about changing the mindset of our players. I’ve been challenging all of them to not put a ceiling to their potential. I know we can beat anyone if we come in with a ‘losing-is-not-an-option’ mindset,” Gavina also said.

For sure, Gavina wants his players to take that into heart.

After their most recent loss against Ginebra (99-120), the Picanto emerged from their dugout only after a talk of almost two hours.

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Against Meralco, the main concern is how to handle Allen Durham.

Amer, Jared Dillinger and Chris Newsome are actually also off to a good start in the tourney.