Black banking on Jackson, Quinto, Espinas to boost Meralco's title hopes

MANILA, Philippines – Meralco Bolts head coach Norman Black is optimistic that his team’s new additions will shore up a team hungry for a championship.

“We added our two rookies — Trevis Jackson and Bong Quinto and picked up Gabby Espinas to help our frontline,” said Black, who just returned from vacation in the US. 

The 5’11” Jackson, who suited up for Marinerong Pilipino and Gamboa Coffee in the PBA D-League, entered the draft with no fanfare and buzz, and was picked fifth overall by Meralco. 

“I will just let my play do the talking,” succinctly put the Fil-American, who played for the Sacramento State Hornets where he averaged 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in his final season of 2016-17. “I am just happy to be with Meralco and I hope I can help them.”

Quinto, selected 14th overall (in the second round), was a star with the Letran Squires and Knights and was a part of the latter’s NCAA championship team of 2015. What the 6’1” Quinto lacks in size in the forward position, he makes up with his court smarts, toughness, and hustle. 

“Pangarap ko makapasok sa PBA nung bata pa ako. Excited ako nandito ako sa Meralco. Pare-pareho kaming gutom manalo. Ibibigay ko yung best ko na makatulong sa kanila,” he said.

Quinto played for Wangs and Tanduay in the D-League.

Coming in from NorthPort, veteran Gabby Espinas is a balik-Meralco player having suited up for the team from 2010-12 under former head coach Ryan Gregorio. He is tabbed to help out the frontline of the team that has been hard-hit by injuries in the past two seasons. 

“Ranidel De Ocampo, Cliff Hodge, and Jared Dillinger are all healthy,” said Black with a sigh of relief. Their absence told heavily in Meralco’s Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cup drives from last season. “Barring any injuries, we should be healthy at the start of the (new) PBA season.”

The Bolts finished 11th in last season’s Philippine Cup then roared to life with former Best Import Arinze Onuaku back in harness for the Commissioner’s Cup, wherein they were ousted by nemesis Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals.

In the season-ending Governors’ Cup, the Bolts rallied from near elimination to book a semifinals seat, eventually losing to Alaska, 3-1, in their best-of-five series.

The 2019 Philippine Cup opens Sunday, January 13, at the Philippine Arena. The Bolts take the court against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on at 7p.m. Wednesday, January 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.