Meralco Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo called temporary import Antonio Hester “hulog ng langit” after the latter came in on short notice to help the Bolts to a 122-114 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Saturday.
Antonio Hester Makes a Positive Impression
The bruising Hester put up 21 points and 9 rebounds for Meralco to earn high praise from Trillo, who credited the 36-year-old American for being in great shape and being a “quality guy.” Despite those glowing assessments, Hester will continue to be an interim import—at least for now.
“He was in better shape than some of our guys. I was saying, Cliff [Hodge] was holding his pants, but hulog ng langit si Hester. It’s nice to have a quality guy like him while JV’s [Jordon Varnado] injured,” Trillo said after Meralco’s first win in the PBA Governors’ Cup. “Obviously we’re hoping JV can get back, but for us…”
Varnado, of course, is Meralco’s original choice as import this conference. Unfortunately, he sustained a calf injury in the days leading up to the Bolts’ PBA Governors’ Cup opener against the Phoenix Fuel Masters and is now listed as day to day.
Why Antonio Hester Could Be a Perfect Fit
While Varnado’s injury situation remains fluid, the Bolts can rest easy because Antonio Hester looked like a good fit on Saturday, especially against Rain or Shine’s Aaron Fuller.
“Hester knows the league,” Trillo noted. “He also knows the other import, Fuller. He played against him in the Indonesian League [IBL]. They were one and one, so you know he’s heaven sent. I think he’s got a good rapport with the guys. He sets good screens. He knows the league. He plays bigger than his size.”
Hester, who is built like a tank like Fuller, is a bruiser, indeed, and plays mostly in the paint—and that is something Meralco certainly needs. But, at the moment, the Bolts will be playing a wait-and-see game before making a final decision.
“At this point we’re lucky. At least we have him—and when JV gets healthy we’ll see from there,” Trillo added.
Meralco will next take the floor on Tuesday against the Blackwater Bossing. Antonio Hester will be ready.
