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[av_heading heading=’ Better start in Game 2 – Bolts ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Tuesday, October 3, 2017
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MANILA – Meralco Bolts aims a better start when it guns for a 2-0 lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-five semifinals against Star Hotshots during Game 2 tonight at the Santa Rosa Multipurpose Complex in Laguna.
Bolts head coach Norman Black hopes his wards will not repeat the same mistake in Game 1 where they had to climb from a 21-7 deficit in the first half.
“It’s always gonna be a defensive struggle with Star,” Black said after their 72-66 win on Sunday. “They really hit us hard in the beginning of our game and took us out of our offense.”
“Luckily for us, our defense held up and kept us in the game,” he added. “Hopefully, we avoid the same mistake.”
After a struggle in the first quarter, Bolts began its fight-back before halftime break on hits by Baser Amer and import Allen Durham to come to within 32-36.
Meralco had a taste of the lead in the third quarter 47-45 but Star pulled away behind rookie Jiovani Jalalon and built a 59-47 edge early in the fourth.
Bolts turned to its defense midway in the final period, launching a huge 15-0 finishing run behind Jared Dillinger, Ranidel de Ocampo and Durham to turn the 57-66 deficit to a 72-66 advantage.
“We are sure Star Hotshots will prepare for us in Game 2 so we will try to anticipate the adjustments they will make,” said Black, who aims to bring Bolts back to the finals after falling short in last year’s edition./PN
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