BONG Quinto warmed up for Meralco’s coming game in the PBA 50th anniversary celebration by leading the Bolts to a 118-80 rout of Terrafirma on Sunday night - their second straight win in the Philippine Cup.
The veteran guard scored seven of his 13 points in the first quarter to spark the breakaway that led to the Bolts' second straight win in three days.
But the biggest challenge will come three days later as the defending champions face the San Miguel Beermen in the April 9 anniversary games of the league at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Did you know? Ginebra icon Jaworski played in Meralco's last champion team
As part of the PBA golden anniversary, the Beermen and Bolts will wear their respective retro jerseys, something which Quinto looks forward to doing.
“Sobrang saya na magkaroon kami ng opportunity na makapaglaro, tapos 'yung jersey nga namin retro. Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng ganoong pagkakataon na makapaglaro sa ganoong sitwasyon,” said Quinto, who also had three rebounds and five assists in the biggest win in franchis history.
“As a fan, bata pa lang ako napapanood ko na (ang PBA), kaya gusto kong maging PBA player. Now na nandito na ako, tapos makapaglaro at makapag-celebrate ng 50 years, sobrang blessed kami ng mga teammates ko, and siyempre yung organization.”
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Coach Luigi Trillo said the team has already been shown its retro jersey to be worn during the game against SMB including the uniforms of the coaching staff.
“Pati kaming mga coaches meron din, parang T-shirt siya. So it’s a choice between orange or white (colors),” said Trillo.
“Maganda (siya). It’s nice to the league. Malaking karangalan ito para sa amin. It’s more than us. Meralco has been there even before (in the other leagues).”
San Miguel and Meralco trace their rivalry to the old Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) in the pre-PBA days, before the Beermen joined Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league as one of the 10 pioneer teams when it formally opened in 1975.
Meralco jumped on board in 2010 after buying the Sta. Lucia franchise.
“So blessed kami na isa kami sa mga team na makakapaglaro ng may retro jersey,” said Quinto.
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