Shonn Miller (high), rose to the event for Meralco towards league-leading Magnolia in an out-of-town match. —PBA IMAGES
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo is aware of he has his work reduce out for him when Meralco takes the primary of the 2 steps main towards a playoff benefit.
The Bolts are coming off a morale-boosting upset of defensive juggernaut and league-leading Magnolia, however their subsequent project within the Philippine Basketball Affiliation (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup is equally robust.
“They beat Ginebra and everyone knows that,” Trillo mentioned of the Phoenix Gas Masters, who, with an similar 7-2 card, are additionally gunning for the much-coveted quarterfinal bonus.
The 2 groups tangle on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Good Araneta Coliseum, with the winner inching nearer to gaining twice-to-beat safety within the subsequent spherical.
“The factor with coach Jamike (Jarin) is that he throws issues at you received’t be prepared for. There’s this factor the place it’s an expert recreation the place issues are simply man-to-man and deliberate—a gradual recreation. However right here’s [Jarin] there to disrupt and get you out of your movement,” Trillo mentioned in a chat with the Inquirer.
Trillo’s additionally underscored the buy-in that has been evident inside Phoenix’s run this convention.
“He’s carried out an excellent job of maximizing the gamers that he has. The [young players] are actually responding to him, too,” he mentioned, referring to the likes of younger weapons Tyler Tio, together with rookies Ricci Rivero and Kenneth Tuffin.
“However I believe the opposite factor to essentially fear about is that they have a extremely good import. He blends in properly with what they do,” Trillo mentioned of Johnathan Williams III.
Williams is without doubt one of the 5 remaining authentic imports this Commissioner’s Cup. He at the moment paces the league in scoring with 28.6 per outing constructed on a league second-best 60.5 p.c taking pictures. The previous Washington Wizards ahead can also be among the many leaders in rebounds with 15.9, second to Rain or Shine’s Tree Treadwell.
Trillo hopes to neutralize Williams and Phoenix’s knack of bumping groups off their rhythm with Shonn Miller, the Bolts’ new import who was stable within the 85-80 nipping of Magnolia in Iloilo Metropolis final weekend.
New import
“Shonn can do a whole lot of issues defensively. He’s one man who’s cellular—like a Bam Adebayo who can play the three, 4, 5 [positions] however also can guard a 1. We’re trying ahead to him doing extra of the soiled work, and never being a weak hyperlink within the pick-and-roll,” he mentioned.
“I believe he tends to fall in love along with his three-point soar shot as a result of he can shoot and he has vary. However his capability to attain beneath and put the ball on the ground—we’ve obtained to see that a part of his recreation,” Trillo added.
In the meantime, NLEX has tapped a brand new import as soon as once more in hopes of capturing the ultimate ticket to the knockout levels.
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