Meralco is looking to close out the series in their upcoming matchup in San Juan at the Filoil EcoOil Centre at 3:00 PM in the afternoon.
The Bolts were yet again faced by their rival, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. But this time, instead of the familiar clashes in the Governors’ Cup Finals, both squads met early in the quarterfinals in the Philippine Cup.
Meralco took the driver’s seat in game one as they won with a final score of 93-82, last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Trillo is aware that following that victory is easier said than done.
“They’ve beaten us every series,” Trillo said, speaking about their four losses against the Kings in their recent battles which are all in the finals.
“This is just one game, we need one more game,” Trillo shared. “So as much as the guys played well you know what Ginebra’s about. They’re gonna come back hard.”
Ginebra, being one of the most resilient teams in the PBA, obviously wouldn’t allow the Bolts to slip away in the first round of the post-eliminations against them, considering that they have beaten Meralco in all of their series in the playoffs.
However, after their setback in Game one, the Gin-Kings then gained their second-consecutive defeat against Meralco in the current conference, and Tim Cone is still figuring out why they are on a losing momentum against them.
“Obviously they’re doing something that is causing us some problem so we have to try and figure that out,” Cone said.
In the first contest of their best-of-three series, Meralco had control for most of the game and even ballooned their lead by as much as 21 points. But Thompson just shrugs their beating against the Bolts.
“I think far from over ito,” said Thompson after the game, recording a double-double output with 29 points and ten boards.
“The best way for us is to learn from that game and adjust in the next game. Good thing we have time to adjust kasi malayo pa ‘yung Game 2.” the reigning MVP added.
The Bolts squad has been planning on how they are going to execute their takedown on Friday against the Gin-Kings.
“See what other things we can do,” Trillo explained. “Try to get them uncomfortable,” he added.