Will Texters defuse Bolts lightning start?

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs Mahindra

7 p.m. – Meralco vs TNT KaTropa

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco braces for a first major test as it seeks a third straight win versus TNT KaTropa and debuting import Louis Amundson in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Bolts and the Texters clash at 7 p.m. after the 4:15 p.m. showdown between the NLEX Road Warriors and the Mahindra Floodbuster, two teams which are both off to a fumbling start in the mid-season tourney.

“TNT is a real tough team,” said Meralco coach Norman Black, hoping his team would be able to sustain their solid effort in their first two games to have a chance against the Texters.

The Bolts and import Alex Stepheson drubbed the Mahindra Floodbuster, 94-86, on opening day then clobbered the NLEX Road Warriors, 91-84, last Sunday.

Meralco, however, suffered a neat beating, 91-105, at the hands of TNT in their matchup in the last Philippine Cup where the Texters narrowly missed the title playoff.

“Our defense has to be strong, and we have to sustain a good team effort,” said Black, wary of the Texters and their new import who came in with impressive credentials including a 10-year stint in the NBA.

A UNLV product, the 6-foot-9 Amundson showed his wares in the NBA from 2006 to 2016, playing first for the Utah Jazz then with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns, the Golden State Warriors, the Indiana Pacers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Chicago Bulls, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks.

He had NBA career averages of 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds. Among his career highlights was a 17-rebound performance last year against the San Antonio Spurs.

Meanwhile, NLEX and Mahindra mix it up in a duel of teams reeling from poor starts, going 0-2 early in the tourney.

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said they face a tough test after dropping their first two games in the Commissioner’s Cup against Rain or Shine and Meralco.

“It’s just two games but there are only nine games left in the eliminations, and I feel we need to win at least six in order to give ourselves a chance to make the playoffs,” said Guiao.

Mahindra coach Chris Gavina, on the other hand, said the team would be competitive in the elimination.

“We showed we’re capable of playing at a high level if we stay committed to our identity. If we don’t stray from maximizing each possession, sticking to our defensive game plan and showing true toughness on defense, I feel we can always put ourselves in an opportunity to win ballgames,” said Gavina whose chargers barely lost their last game against defending champion Rain or Shine in overtime, 99-95.