Meralco wanting to get power back

MERALCO is hoping to return to action this week after being forced to take a rest following issues concerning health and safety protocols that are strictly being implemented in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

The Bolts last played on September 3, losing to TNT, 76-91, at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

But a breach in protocols—which could either be a positive Covid-19 test or a violation of closed-circuit rules—forced them to exile.

“We just returned to practice three days ago and we’re getting back in shape,” Meralco Head Coach Norman Black told Businessmirror on Monday. “We’re hoping everybody will be healthy.”

Everyone on the Bolts bench were again tested for the virus on Monday morning and Black is hoping no one yields a positive result. It’s not the league’s policy, however, to divulge information on what particular health and safety rule a team breached.

Meralco sits at second place with a 5-2 win-loss record and are a victory shy of joining TNT Katropa (8-1), Magnolia (6-3) and Rain or Shine (64) in the quarterfinals.

The Bolts still have to play Terrafirma (3-6), Blackwater (0-9), NLEX (4-5) and defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (3-5).

Black stressed that they couldn’t take any team for granted at this stage of the conference.

“Ginebra is obviously Ginebra. They dropped a couple of games lately, but we know how talented they are with a good coach [Tim Cone],” he said. “They’re always a tough game for us mainly because of their size and their talent.”

“NLEX is playing well, that’s going to be tough, while Terrafirma won three games in a row before it dropped two games in a row, and that’s not going to be easy,” he said. “Blackwater might be looking for a first win so we can’t take anybody for granted at this point.”