Bolts out to road test Dyip if they’re for real

Games Today (Smart Araneta) 4:30 p.m. – Columbian DYIP vs Meralco 7 p.m. – Phoenix Fuel vs Blackwater

While the level of excitement Columbian Dyip has generated following a rousing start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup is understandable, coach Ricky Dandan is quick to caution against soaring expectations.

“We’ll face a tough team in Meralco with Arinze Onuaku, and we all know who Onuaku is,” said Dandan, referring to the wide-bodied Bolts reinforcement who won Best Import award in 2016.

Columbian Dyip gets an early acid test when it collides with Meralco at 4:30 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Phoenix Fuel debuts against Blackwater (0-1) in the second game at 7 p.m.

The oddly-labeled Dyip, fueled by their relentless fast breaks and outside shooting, ran down Blackwater, 126-98, last Sunday with sophomore guard Jeremy King, picked up from free agency, exploding for a career-best 30 points.

King, who previously played for Rain or Shine, shot 10-of-20 from the field, including 5-of-10 from three-point area, and added seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in more than 37 minutes of action.

Four others scored in double figure as Rashwan McCarthy had 22 points, Carlo Lastimosa 14, and Eric Camson and Ronald Tubid 12 points apiece in a well-distributed production.

Columbian import Charles Aiken scored only nine points but was a force inside the shaded lane with 22 rebounds and two shot blocks, but Dandan said he expects him to be more aggressive offensively against Meralco.

“These first three games is like a test for him (Aiken), so we’ll see,” said Dandan when asked if what he saw in Aiken’ debut was enough to impress him.

The 28-point winning margin went down as a new franchise best, eclipsing the team’s 14-point winning margin (103-89) against the Alaska Aces in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup.