Meralco Bolts coach Luigi Trillo argues with a referee during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals game against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Meralco coach Luigi Trillo had excuses after the Bolts bowed to Ginebra in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup’s best-of-three quarterfinals.
Meralco succumbed to the Gin Kings, 100-92, to virtually be pushed back to a twice-to-win disadvantage on Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum.
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Trillo admitted that he felt the Bolts were in a bit of a slump since the latter part of the elimination round, something that was still evident in the quarterfinals.
“It’s not an excuse but we’re going through a bit of bad luck now,” said Trillo.
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“He (Akil Mitchell) hasn’t played and you can see his rhythm earlier. He’s not finishing as well as he wants and those things happen. Cliff’s (Hodge) also not the same guy and those two are the backbones of our defense.”
Meralco Bolts import Akil Mitchell during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals Game 1 against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Much of the Bolts’ late-round mishaps came after losing Mitchell to a back injury. So when Meralco’s resident import hit the court again, his rhythm wasn’t the same from his early conference dominance.
Mitchell finished with a respectable double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds but struggled mightily from the field, sinking just seven out of his 19 shots.
READ: PBA: Akil Mitchell says injury ‘nothing too serious’ as playoffs loom
Hodge, who is usually the Bolts’ anchor in the paint, had a tough time contributing and finished with just four points and two rebounds.
Trillo, meanwhil, lauded the Gin Kings and hoped to show a better outing on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium for Game 2.
“I thought we did a lot of good basketball that kept us in the game but you have to give it to Ginebra, they made tough shots and went to work.”
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“I thought we did enough to give ourselves some opportunities in the endgame. We look at this point as us having to be better all-around.”
