Meralco’s Repeat Title Hopes Dim as Struggles Mirror Last Season’s Start — But With Tougher Road Ahead
ANTIPOLO — It was a familiar sight for Meralco Bolts fans: a slow 3-5 start, followed by a glimmer of hope after a bounce-back win. Coach Luigi Trillo couldn’t help but smile when reminded of the déjà vu.
“I wish it could be easy na ganun,” Trillo said wryly, following the team’s 103-85 win over Blackwater Wednesday night at the Ynares Center.
The coach was referencing their miraculous Season 48 Philippine Cup championship run — Meralco’s first in franchise history — which saw them claw back from a 3-5 start to eventually dethrone San Miguel in six games. The story was one of perseverance, teamwork, and a bit of luck as they secured the No. 3 seed via a five-way tie and swept NLEX in the quarterfinals.
Fast forward to today, and the Bolts are again in a 3-5 hole, but this time, the atmosphere feels different.
Same Record, Different Climate
“Hindi namin pinlano na ganito,” Trillo admitted. “I think teams are really playing well, you know, may pagkukulang kami.”
While Meralco survived the Bossing, their recent blowout loss to Magnolia — a game that saw Cliff Hodge earn a suspension for a dangerous foul — revealed deeper cracks. And with upcoming games against playoff-hungry NLEX and powerhouse Ginebra, the path ahead isn’t just difficult — it’s grueling.
Not to mention, the team is headed to Dubai right after for the Basketball Champions League Asia, where they’ll face the top clubs of the continent. The added travel, physical toll, and distraction won’t help a team already fighting for playoff survival.
What’s Missing This Time?
Last season, the Bolts had momentum-building wins and a playoff bracket that favored them. This time, however, they’re banged up, inconsistent, and their championship-winning formula doesn’t seem to be clicking the same way. There’s been no major upgrade to the lineup, and while Chris Newsome continues to anchor the squad, there’s a growing feeling that they lack firepower and depth to go head-to-head with today’s top teams.
Magnolia is undefeated. San Miguel is older but deeper. TNT, even with its own injuries, is still hunting a grand slam with relentless intent.
Is a Repeat Likely?
Based on current form and roster limitations, the honest answer is no. The Bolts are still capable of scrapping their way to the playoffs, but unless they pull off a significant trade or get an internal leap in production, they’re a clear underdog among the title contenders.
Conclusion: Lightning Struck Once — Will It Strike Again?
Meralco’s Season 48 triumph was magical — a combination of timing, resilience, and standout individual performances. But in the current PBA landscape, where physicality is intensifying and talent is concentrated among powerhouse rosters, it’s hard to expect lightning to strike twice.
Unless they make big changes soon, the Bolts’ repeat dreams may fade as quickly as they sparked. The road is tougher, the competition better, and this time, luck alone won’t be enough.
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