MANILA, Philippines — Whether Meralco’s pre-season build-up is good enough will be known Friday when the Bolts battle the Barangay Ginebra Kings at the start of the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
The lone out-of-town game presented by Phoenix Fuel is set at 5 p.m. with both teams determined to get off to a flying start.
Soon after Meralco was eliminated in its debut conference in thePhilippine Cup where the Bolts were ousted in two games by then reigning champion B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados during the best-of-three quarterfinals, the management immediately worked on several deals.
The team was able to obtain ace playmaker Sol Mercado from Rain or Shine in a three-team trade that also included veteran forward Erick Rodriguez. Also added was threepoint specialist Ren-Ren Ritualo and Reynel Hugnatan.
In the process, the Bolts gave up Beau Belga (to Rain or Shine), Reed Juntilla (to Air21), and the pair of Hans Thiele and Paolo Bugia to Alaska in the Hugnatan deal.
“We practically have a new team with five new players (including import Anthony Danridge),” Meralco mentor Ryan Gregorio said. “We’ve been trying to fast-track the whole process. I like our build-up process and my wish is to come up with a solid team.”
“Danridge is best suited in our fast break game, he’s quickly learning to adapt to our system, while Sol is incredible. Great skills and displays unbelievable will to win. The more games we play together the better we will be,” he added.
A product of University of Mexico, Danridge won the Slam Dunk title in the NCAA two years back. The 24-year-old guard recently played in Lebanon where he averaged 28 points with five rebounds per game.
Gregorio expects Danridge to lead the charge with mainstay Marc Cardona and Mercado running the offense, while backing them up are veterans Asi Taulava, Nelber Omolon, Gabby Espinas, Chris Ross and Mark Isip.
“It’s always tough to play against Ginebra. They are complete in all fronts. We just want to stay close and grab it in the end,” Gregorio said.
Unlike Meralco, the Ginebra Kings did not make any changes with their roster, except of course the addition of import Nate Brumfield, who at 6-foot-4 is comfortable playing inside the shaded lane as a power forward.
Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
