Bolts eye playoff against Fuel Masters

MANILA, Philippines -  Meralco tries to formalize a playoff entry as it takes on Phoenix while Blackwater and NLEX face off in a duel of teams fighting for survival at the resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Elite (1-6) and the Road Warriors (0-7) clash at 4:15 p.m. then the Bolts (6-1) and the Fuel Masters (3-4) mix it up at 7 p.m. in two crucial matchups in the continuation of the second conference action after the All-Star Week.

The tourney, however, will take a break again after the May 10 playdate to give way to the SEABA meet to be participated in by Gilas Pilipinas featuring 11 PBA stars plus naturalized player Andray Blatche.

The Gilas players are now excused from their PBA mother ball clubs so they can focus on their training with the national team.

Thus, Phoenix will be without gunner Matthew Wright as the Fuel Masters tangle with the Bolts with their complete lineup including the comebacking Cliff Hodge. Jonathan Grey and Ed Daquiaog, Meralco players who are both members of the Gilas pool, both failed to make the Gilas lineup for SEABA.

Meralco coach Norman Black is concerned with the effect of their long 17-day break. “I’m not sure how it will affect us, but we are healthy and ready to get back on the court. Hodge will return so that should give our defense a lift,” Black said.

Before the All-Star break, Meralco virtually claimed a playoff berth with a 102-91 conquest of Blackwater.

Meralco, with tremendous boost from import Alex Stepheson, had collected earlier wins over Mahindra, NLEX, TNT, Rain or Shine and Alaska.

“We have to limit Stepheson’s rebounding as it fuels their attacks,” said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia who’s also hoping that Willy Wilson could fill the void left by Wright.

“He’s (Wilson) the missing link since last conference with injuries etc. We’ve got to get production from him,” Vanguardia pointed out.