Bolts escape import-less Batang Pier

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco head coach Norman Black can’t help but feel relieved.

The Bolts narrowly escaped a GlobalPort side that had no import and Terrence Romeo, 100-93, to cap Friday night’s PBA action at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“I’ve been coaching for a while, and these are some of the toughest games to coach,” Black expressed. “I’d probably prefer that they had an import because at least my players wouldn’t be so relaxed.”

“And they’d know that they have to play really, really well to win,” added Black.

Chris Newsome scored 28 to pace the Bolts, while reigning Best Import Allen Durham added 22. But that was almost equalled by the Batang Pier’s Sean Anthony, who finished with 23 points and rookie Jonathan Grey, who chimed in 16.

Meralco was in control for three frames until GlobalPort mounted a run in the final frame to threaten last year's Governors’ Cup finalists.

And that, according to Black is something the 8-2 Bolts have to rectify as the playoff phase is just around the corner.

"I'll take the win, but as far as sharpness is concerned, at this time of the year that's the most important thing. You gotta be sharp,” he offered. "You can't afford to have lapses and sometimes that happens in these situations when a team is undermanned.

"I just want us to be sharp going the the playoffs. That's the most important thing,” he closed.

The playoffs for the season-ending conference begin next week.