The Bolts, Segismundo added, are in the thick of preparations for the next conference and are on the lookout for an explosive import.

"We already have a short list of candidates (as imports) and it is up to coach Ryan (Gregorio) to decide who will fit ideally to the team’s system," Segismundo added.

The team’s fifth place finish in the Philippine Cup surpassed the expectations of management since the squad is only back in the sports scene after 38 long years of hibernation. Meralco used to be a powerhouse in the now-defunct MICAA, its team back then led by the living legend, Robert Jaworski.

"Yes, that finish gives pride to Meralco, its management and employees," Segismundo said in a recent interview at the Meralco Center on Ortigas Ave. in Pasig City.

"That fifth place windup actually was probably a win or two away from advancing into the semifinals," he added. "So it gives us hopes and optimism in the future of Meralco in the local sporting community, not only in basketball, but in all sporting activities we will be involved in."

Aside from the pro league, Meralco is also involved with several advocacy programs, including the charitable institution Caritas and Basketball Boys, an outreach program.

Segismundo pointed out a significant portion of the proceeds of all of Meralco’s games goes to Caritas.

Basketball Boys is an outreach project initiated by Gregorio aimed to teach poor boys from less privileged areas the rudiments of basketball, hopefully to turn them not only into good players but also as good citizens.

The project, Segismundo added, has already produced a pair of players that have stamped their marks in the UAAP and NCAA junior tournaments–Amer Basser who starred for San Beda last season and Kim Cinco of University of the Philippines.

Eddie Alinea, Business Insight Malaya