Boosters ready to defend

The Pinoy LeBron
doppleganger is back!

So much for the Meralco Bolts' mini-celebration after they were able to secure their very first franchise victory over sister team, the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters. The Manny V. Pangilinan-owned team was quickly brought back down to earth by rivals Petron Blaze Boosters of the proud San Miguel Corporation family.

Led by all-around import Eddie Basden, the Boosters stamped their collective class over the hapless Bolts despite having star guards Dondon Hontiveros and Marcio Lassiter in street clothes. Basden was joined by perennial All Star Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot and even Denok Miranda and keeping the Bolts at bay early before stepping on the gas in the second half for the win.

To the Bolts' credit, they are starting to look more and more comfortable playing iso-heavy guys Sol Mercado and franchise player Mac Cardona at the same time. This odd partnership of course, only works because of one Chris Ross who is growing more and more reliable with the basketball and even putting up Boston Celtics' PG Rajon Rondo-like numbers (more assists, rebounds than points).

The real reason why the Bolts loss is one, they relied heavily on either Mercado/ Cardona's offense rather than letting the game pass through their import Champ Oguchi first. Oguchi, who is a streaky shooter by trade, was left playing out of position and was eaten up by the returning Jay Washington (19 points, 9 boards) and even the smaller Arwind Santos (a natural power forward by Pinoy trade).

Oguchi couldn't get into any rhythm, Cardona and Mercado were busy waiting for their time with the basketball (they both need to learn to run off screens and move without the basketball. Cardona is often nailed to the corners while Mercado is glued up top) making for a rather predictable and easy to defend offense that is chicken-feed to a disciplined team like the Boosters.

Now that they've won their first two assignments in this shortened conference, look for the Boosters to make a deep run at defending their title won at the expense of the Tropang Texters (who lost to the Air21 Express in the 2nd game). Once Lassiter comes back from a hand injury, it's going to be even tougher for teams to beat them since the first and second units will be just as potent.

Cabagnot, Chris Lutz, Santos, Basden and Dorian Pena, followed by Miranda, Lassiter, Basden, Washington and Danny Ildefonso/ Rob Reyes as your second team. Oh, and there's Joseph Yeo who could always come in and light up sleeping defenders as another weapon for Coach Ato Agustin.

The way things are going at the moment, it wouldnt' be that far off to expect a clash between the Boosters and sister team BMeg Llamados at tourney's end. Money's on the Boosters' starpower, but then again, it's always hard to bet against Coach Tim Cone.

How far do you think will the Boosters make it this time around?