Bolts face adversity without Newsome

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco coach Norman Black tasked import Johnny O’Bryant and the Bolts’ healthy locals to step up to the plate as the team tries to overcome adversity in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Hurt by the calf injury of ace Chris Newsome, Black’s charges dropped a numbing 101-95 meltdown loss to Robert Bolick and NorthPort last Friday then stumbled to a 99-91 defeat to rival Barangay Ginebra two days later in a flat start.

The Meralco franchise hasn’t opened an import-laced conference 0-2 in nearly eight years, its last being the 2014 Governors’ Cup, where it eventually finished with a 3-6 card.

“We’re facing a little bit of adversity now,” said Black, whose embattled crew will gun for that breakthrough win on Friday against slumping Terrafirma (0-3).

“This week will be a chance for us to adjust to Newsome not being around and for us to try to figure out how we’re gonna be able to utilize the rest of our lineup in the correct way,” he added.

Black said he isn’t expecting Newsome to be back very soon as the injury may take at least two weeks to recover from, based on his personal experience.

“I had that injury when I was his age, 32, and the pulled calf muscle is not something to fool around with because you can re-pull it again anytime,” he said.

Moving forward, the multi-titled mentor challenged his import, especially, to crank up the power.

“With the adversity we’re going through, he has to deliver more because we just lost 17 points, six rebounds and five assists a game (from Newsome). So he’s going to have to pick it up a little bit more,” said Black of O’Bryant, who averages 30.5 points, 19 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

“We’ve lost two games so obviously he has to play better for us to win and for us to do well in this conference. I’m not saying he’s not playing okay now. I’m saying more that he has to do more because we just lost a key player,” said Black.