Once again, the Meralco Bolts have their backs against the wall. And once again, waiting to put them out of their misery are the TNT Tropang 5G.
That’s the story of Game 6 later today when TNT and Meralco clash at the Ynares Center, with the former looking to book a seat to the PBA Finals once again and the latter hoping to survive. The last time they were in this situation was in the Season 50 PBA Philippine Cup, when the Bolts entered Game 5 down, 3-1.
They lost.
Extending to Game 6 Is Already a Blessing
Even with his Bolts staring elimination right in the eye again, coach Luigi Trillo is still keeping a positive demeanor, looking at the situation as a blessing and an opportunity.
“If you look at it, it’s a blessing for us because we have a chance to move into Game 7. Last conference, best of 7, I think we ended the series in five games. We lost,” Trillo told reporters after Meralco’s 103-95 Game 5 loss on Friday. “I think it’s a blessing for us to have an opportunity to stretch [this series] into Game 7. [But] a lot to clean up…”
One reason Meralco is in a do-or-die and TNT is a win away from the Finals is Chris McCullough, who followed up an uneven return to the PBA in Game 4 with an explosive masterclass—torching the Bolts for 42 big points, including 12 down the stretch.
“He went to work. You have to give the roses for that,” Trillo said of CMac, who shot 13-for-22 from the field and looked downright unguardable in the fourth quarter.
Going into Game 6, best believe he’ll be on top of the Bolts’ minds.
Meralco Needs to Be Better
So, what do the Bolts have to do to force a winner-take-all Game 7?
Trillo was succinct in his assessment: just be better.
“We lost the game because TNT played better than us. You have to give it to them. They went to work…,” Trillo pointed out. “… Again, we’re going to have to be better.”
Of course, saying it is one thing. Doing it is another.
TNT and Meralco go at it again in Game 6 later today at the Ynares Center. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m.
