2025-11-15 16:01
by
nlpkak
As a longtime PBA fan who's followed the Meralco Bolts through their rollercoaster seasons, I've got to say this year's lineup has me genuinely excited. Remember that epic five-set thriller against the Thunderbelles last season? The one that ended 20-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18, 15-11? That match perfectly illustrated why our Bolts need both star power and depth - something this season's roster seems to have addressed beautifully. Let me walk you through why I think this could finally be our championship year.
First off, let's talk about our backbone - Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan. Newsome's leadership during that fifth set against the Thunderbelles, even in defeat, showed why he's the heart of this team. The guy played 38 minutes that game and still had energy to drive to the basket in crunch time. And Almazan? When he's on his game, our defense transforms completely. I remember specifically in the fourth set of that Thunderbelles match, he had three consecutive blocks that brought the entire arena to its feet. That's the kind of energy we need consistently this season.
What really excites me though is our new acquisition - the 6'5" rookie sensation from UAAP, Miguel Torres. Now I know some fans were skeptical about trading for a rookie, but having watched him play in college, this kid has something special. He averaged 18.3 points and 7.2 rebounds in his final collegiate season, numbers that don't even tell the whole story about his basketball IQ. During our preseason games, I noticed how he already developed chemistry with our veterans, something that usually takes months to build.
Our backcourt depth this season is something we haven't had in years. Besides Newsome, we've got Aaron Black who's coming off his best season yet, and the veteran Baser Amer who provides that steady hand during pressure situations. Remember when we lost that close third set against Thunderbelles 23-25? That's exactly where having multiple ball handlers makes the difference. We won't have to rely on just one player to create offense anymore.
The bench rotation looks deeper too. Coach Norman Black seems to have learned from last season's fatigue issues. In that five-set marathon against Thunderbelles, our second unit got outscored 15-28, and that ultimately decided the game. This season, with additions like veteran forward Cliff Hodge returning from injury and the improved shooting of Bong Quinto, I'm confident we can maintain intensity throughout four quarters. Or even five if needed!
I've been following the Bolts for seven seasons now, and what strikes me about this year's group is the perfect blend of youth and experience. We've got the wise old heads like Reynel Hugnatan who, at 42 years young, still has that beautiful mid-range game, combined with young legs that can run the floor. In today's fast-paced PBA, you need both - the Thunderbelles exposed our transition defense last season, particularly in that first set where they outscored us 15-4 on fast breaks.
Our three-point shooting should see improvement too. Last season we ranked sixth in three-point percentage at 34.7%, but with the addition of shooting guard JP Calvo from our affiliate team, plus Anjo Caram's continued development, I'm predicting we'll crack the top three this season. Calvo shot 41.2% from deep in the D-League, and while that's different from PBA competition, the kid's mechanics are pure.
The big question mark remains our interior defense. We gave up an average of 48.3 points in the paint last season, which ranked eighth in the league. That Thunderbelles game? They scored 52 points inside against us. Almazan can't do it alone, which is why I'm hoping we see more minutes from our new import, Anthony Johnson, who's known for his shot-blocking in the Korean league.
What I love most about this season's Bolts is there are no obvious weaknesses. Previous seasons always felt like we had one glaring hole - either lacking size, or shooting, or bench depth. This year? We're solid across the board. Will we win the championship? I'm not making predictions, but I will say this feels different. The energy at their practices, the way players interact during timeouts, even their social media presence - it all points to a team that's genuinely connected.
That final set against Thunderbelles last season still stings - losing 15-11 after such a battle. But you know what? Sometimes you need those painful losses to fuel growth. I've got a feeling our Bolts learned more from that defeat than they would have from any victory. This season, when we find ourselves in another fifth set thriller, I believe we'll have both the weapons and the will to finish the job. The pieces are all there - now it's about putting them together when it matters most.
