2-0 record ililista ng Bolts at Road Warriors
MANILA, Philippines — Kapwa pupuntiryahin ng Meralco at NLEX ang kani-kanilang ikalawang sunod na panalo, habang bubuksan ng North Port ang kampanya sa 2018 PBA Governor’s Cup.
Lalabanan ng Bolts ang TNT Katropang Texters ngayong alas-7 ng gabi matapos ang bakbakan ng Road Warriors at Batang Pier sa alas-4:30 ng hapon sa Ynares Center sa Antipolo City.
Umiskor ang Meralco ng 109-106 panalo laban sa Columbian tampok ang 26 points, 20 rebounds at 9 assists ni two--time PBA Best Import Allen Durham.
Sa kanyang ikatlong sunod na paglalaro sa PBA ay nakatutok si Durham sa pagbibigay sa Bolts ng kauna-unahang korona ng prangkisa.
“I think we need a championship. It’s all about the team right now,” sabi ng 6-foot-5 na si Durham, dalawang beses tinalo ni Justin Brownlee at ng Ginebra Gin Kings para sa titulo ng season-ending conference. “I don’t have nothing to prove. I’ve been here for three years so I focus on just a championship.”
Ayon kay one-time PBA Grand Slam champion head coach Norman Black, wala pa sa kanyang pamatay na kondisyon ang 30-anyos na si Durham.
“It’s like he’s a little bit stronger than he was the last time he was around but I think he’ll get better as the conference goes on,” ani Black. “Once he continues to be in game shape then I expect better things out of him going forward.”
Hangad naman ng Tropang Texters na makabawi mula sa 90-103 kabiguan sa Road Warriors.
Sa naturang panalo ng NLEX ay humakot si Nigerian import Olu Ashaolu ng 33 points at 23 rebounds laban sa TNT Katropa.
Kinolekta ito ni Ashaolu bagama’t nagkaroon ng partial tear sa kanyang patellar tendon sa tune-up game ng Road Warriors laban sa Bolts.
Dahil dito ay naghahanap na ang NLEX, pansamantalang hinahawakan ni assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa, ng kapalit ni Ashaolu.
“I’ll try to keep playing as long as I can,” sabi ng Nigerian-American reinforcement. “I don’t wanna stop playing but obviously I gotta take care of my knee for my future. But I’m here to do a job so we’ll figure it out.”
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