THE first time is always memorable.
The odyssey in the Philippine Basketball Association lasted five years but Meralco finally came of age as it reached the finals in stunning fashion for the first time in franchise history.
Few believed, but at the end of the day the Bolts were able to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. They defeated heavily favored top seed TNT KaTropa, 3-1, in their best-of-five semifinals encounter to move forward to the championship round of the 2016 Philippines Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
It’s been a long and winding journey but finally Meralco ended years of mediocrity and got over the hump emphatically to give itself a crack at finally winning an elusive PBA championship.
No one is happier and more proud than Meralco coach Norman Black, who was tapped two years ago to turn the Bolts from an inconsistent wild card into a title contender.
“I’m just really happy for the team and for the players,” said Black, who will now shoot for his 12th championship as a PBA coach. “They really worked hard and put in the extra effort.”
After a disappointing start in the season where the Bolts finished dead last in the Philippine Cup, Black and his wards turned things around, making the semifinals in the Commissioner’s Cup and now taking their first trip to the finals.
“We have come a long way from the first conference where we had a miserable run. Now, the team is peaking and maturing and we’re in the finals. I really can’t be more proud of the players. I’m just really happy for the Meralco community,” said Black.
Meralco waits for its opponent in the best-of-seven finale that starts on Friday. It will face either of two talent-loaded teams in San Miguel Beer or Barangay Ginebra.
As of this report, the Beermen and the Gin Kings are fighting their hearts out to get the last ticket to the finals in Game 5 of their own semifinal series.
While this accomplishment is certainly a big breakthrough for the franchise and its players, Black knows that the adventure is far from over.
“It’s not over yet. We still have a lot of work ahead. Either way, everyone know it’s going to be a tough finals but we’ll be ready for it.”
After Meralco lost Game 1 in a lopsided rout, many thought that the Tropang Texters will cruise towards the finals. They were proven wrong.
The Bolts did the unthinkable as they racked up three wins in a row to take the series. What’s more impressive is the fact that they were able to win the last two games without Jared Dillinger, who got injured in Game 2 but is expected to suit up in the finals.