MERALCO stakes its unbeaten run opposite a Lou Amundson-powered TNT in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Far from its previous stint in the All-Filipino conference where it finished with a measly 3-8 won-lost record, the Bolts had a 2-0 start by disposing of Mahindra, 94-86, and NLEX, 91-84.
Today, they will be taking on a real test against debuting sister-team KaTropa, who flaunt the 6-foot-9, nine-year National Basketball Association veteran Amundson, an energetic player who is expected to provide TNT with muscle and defense inside the paint.
The match is at 7 p.m.
NLEX and Mahindra, both with 0-2 cards, try to barge into the win column when they face each other at 4:15 p.m.
The Road Warriors are still struggling under Head Coach Yeng Guiao, despite drawing big numbers from Wayne Chism, who played for Guiao at Rain or Shine before.
The Floodbuster have the same dilemma as scoring dynamo James White was impressive as an individual player but failed to finish games with a win.
“TNT is a real tough team,” Meralco Head Coach Norman Black said. “Our defense has got to be strong, and we have to sustain a good team effort.”
The Bolts tapped Alex Stepheson, a 6-foot-10 NBA D-League stalwart who had 11 points and 21 rebounds in his first game and 18 points, 24 boards and four blocks in his second assignment.
The locals also provided good numbers for Meralco as sophomore Baser Amer fired 19 points against Mahindra, while Jared Dillinger had a solid 20 points during against NLEX.
“Our local stepped up a lot. They did well a lot better than in the All-Filipino tourney. We just have to continue that,” Black said.
Black should be worried against the KaTropa, who are expected to make the most out of Amundson through their formidable local lineup of Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Troy Rosario.
Amundson was undrafted in the NBA in 2006 but suited up with the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
Amundson averaged 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12.9 minutes. He last played for the Knicks after signing a contract in 2015, but was waived last October.