MERALCO is on a roll in the PBA Governors’ Cup. The team, which won its first PBA title last month, claimed its fourth straight win by taking down an import-less Magnolia side, 82-74, in the third out-of-town game of the conference Saturday night.
Though the Bolts again played with a depleted roster, the Hotshots had it worse by not having an import. The replacement arrived but the import, Shabazz Muhammad, was not allowed to play for not having a clearance from the FIBA.
Muhammad, who took over from Glenn Robinson III, went with the team in Davao del Norte, but didn’t suit up at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports, and Cultural Center.
The former first-round pick of the Utah Jazz in the 2013 draft last played in Venezuela.
Below are takeaways in the Bolts’ second win this conference against the Hotshots
1. MAGNOLIA NEEDS MUHAMMAD FIREPOWER – Though it prides itself as one of the top defensive teams in the league, Magnolia also needs to get its offense going, something which, unfortunately, the high-flying, slam-dunking Robinson was lacking. The Hotshots need someone who can take charge in the endgame in the mold of George King, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Allen Durham, or good old Justin Brownlee. That could be Muhammad, who once torched Meralco for 57 points in a 115-110 comeback win while still playing for San Miguel two years ago. The Hotshots, however, maybe running out of time before their fortunes can turn around as it remains unknown when the import can start playing.
2. MUHAMMAD CASE IS NOTHING NEW – Cases of imports failing to suit up for their ballclubs owing to a lack of Letter of Clearance either from FIBA or from their previous team are nothing new in the league. Rain or Shine also went through through that experience with Greg Smith II in last year’s Governors’ Cup. While the Hotshots could have avoided it, the incident obviously was a costly one for the team given that games are being played six times a week. The loss sent Magnolia back at the .500 mark (3-3) in Group A, with four games left in its elimination round schedule.
3. MERALCO SHOWING CHAMPIONSHIP POISE AMIDST INJURY ISSUES – What difference a championship makes. Despite missing six key players, the Bolts continue to thrive and strung up four straight wins, including twice against the Hotshots. Obviously, the experience it gained in winning its first ever PBA title in the last Philippine Cup has been a big help for Meralco in weathering its injury woes, a good enough cushion before their major players return to active duty in time for the playoffs.
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