JOLO Mendoza can shoot the lights out from afar and Meralco has no problem putting the ball in his hands with the outcome of the game very much on the line.
Coach Luigi Trillo said the rookie guard out of Ateneo was sent in with seven seconds remaining in the team’s PBA Philippine Cup game against TNT on Sunday to be one of the options to take a possible game-winning basket at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Mendoza did take the three-point shot which only hit the front rim at the buzzer, allowing the Tropang Giga to escape with a 92-90 win.
But Trillo said the Bolts have total faith in the ability of Mendoza, who is one of the team’s best gunners from beyond the arc.
“He (Mendoza) can catch and shoot. We have faith in Jolo,” the Meralco coach stressed. “Obviously, you’re thinking about a last-second shot and he can space the floor for us.”
Mendoza got the pass from Aaron Black at the last second, but still good enough to launch a three-pointer that just fell a little short of hitting the mark.
PHOTO: PBA Images
“I think some of the options were covered, and by the time he got the ball, it seemed like it was the end. But there are other guys who are options,” added Trillo, who said the final play was designed by active consultant Nenad Vucinic.
Trillo did give credit to TNT for playing good defense against the Bolts.
“They (Tropang Giga) played tough defense. At the end of the day, commend TNT because they defended it well,” said the Meralco coach.
If there were any positive takes for Meralco’s fourth loss in seven outings, Trillo pointed out the Bolts’ ability to pass the ball and limit their turnovers.
“We did some good things. We got 17 assists, with eight turnovers. And I thought we battled back from 10 points down,” said Trillo.
“And two good, locked-in teams playing well, either one can win.”
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