From cellar-dweller to title contender: Bolts shine with tremendous turnaround

MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts have gained quite an achievement in merely making the PBA Governors Cup Finals, mystifying just about everybody in the league in turning from cellar-dweller to championship contender within a season.

Dead last with a woeful 1-10 win-loss mark in the Philippine Cup, the Bolts have made a tremendous turnaround with a breakthrough playoff ride leading to a finals entry in the season-ending Governors Cup.

Meralco was the first team to essay that feat in 15 years.

“We’ve really come a long way since the first conference. We’re happy to finish the conference on a high note, but it’s not over yet,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

One explosive game marked by 17 three-pointers and two games with tough defensive effort had Meralco rolling past elite sister team TNT KaTropa to book a first PBA finals entry since taking over the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise in 2010.

The Bolts had had their improvements in the second conference, finishing fourth behind Rain or Shine, Alaska Milk and San Miguel Beer with huge import Arinze Onuaku.

They then had a roller-coaster ride in the Governors Cup elims before steadying up in the playoffs, disposing of the Mahindra Enforcers in the quarterfinals then the Texters in the semis.

MVP Group top boss Manny V. Pangilinan was impressed the most on their conquest of the Texters.

“They played a good series, and to have beaten a team like TNT is quite a feat,” said Pangilinan. “It’s a tribute to Meralco, a tribute to the Bolts. They deserve to win.”

TNT’s ride was the exact opposite of that of Meralco.

The Texters dominated the elims with a 10-1 record, blew over the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the quarterfinals and stretched their hot streak in the opener of their semis showdown with the Bolts before taking a plunge they failed to recover from.

Pangilinan rued the Texters suddenly lost “intensity, commitment and energy.”

“Why TNT doesn’t want to put the effort is a big mystery. I don’t understand it,” said Pangilinan.