Firing up the Bolts

Right after Barangay Ginebra drew first blood in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, PBA Meralco governor Atty. Bill Pamintuan quickly sent out a message to the Bolts, assuring the team the series was far from over. Pamintuan knew that in seven previous playoff series dating back to 2016, Ginebra had beaten Meralco in six duels (one best-of-three, one best-of-five, four best-of-seven) and wanted to perish the thought of a losing trend from the onset. It brought life back to Meralco’s dream of finally defeating Ginebra in a best-of-seven series after four failures.

“While we suffered a very tough loss and our five-game winning streak was broken by the team that had been tormenting us for so long, we should not bow down in defeat but instead, lift our heads up and look forward to battling them again in Game Two,” said Pamintuan in a group chat. “This is going to be a very mental series. You should not let this loss get to your heads and let it discourage you and take away your confidence.

“But we also have to reflect and admit to ourselves that we made a lot of mistakes and lapses which could have turned it in our favor had we not made them. There is no shame in losing as long as we learn from it and we make a commitment to be better next time. We have beaten this team before and we can beat them again as long as we don’t repeat the mistakes and lapses that cost us Game One. All’s not lost. Let’s all get a good rest and each of you reflect on your game and pin-point where you can get better in Game Two to get the win and make this a best-of-five series. We can do this together and get back the winning streak that Ginebra broke.”

As it turned out, Meralco won Games Two and Three to lead the series, 2-1. Then, Ginebra roared back to win Games Four and Five to move ahead, 3-2 and went for the clincher in Game Six. The day before Game Six, right after the Meralco Stockholders Meeting at around lunch time, Meralco chairman/CEO Manny V. Pangilinan visited the Meralco gym and met the team.

“In the huddle, MVP rued the missed opportunity to win Game Five when we squandered a 15-point lead and allowed Ginebra to lead the series again,” said Pamintuan. “He told the team that he just presided over Meralco’s Stockholders Meeting and Management reported excellent operating and financial results. He said Meralco continues to push its business managers to operational excellence and produce record-breaking results. That he expects no less from the Bolts as well to also produce excellent results by beating Ginebra and getting to the Finals. He told the players to focus on the game and not on the referees and to play with confidence and purpose.”

Pamintuan added that Meralco Board of Directors member/PBA chairman Ricky Vargas was also in the huddle and told the team that getting to Game Six was already an achievement and the result will be different for both teams. “For Ginebra, winning Game Six would mean ending the series and moving to the Finals,” said Pamintuan, quoting Vargas. “For Meralco, winning Game Six would mean extending the series to a winner-take-all Game Seven and if the Bolts win, the momentum will shift in our favor.”

After Meralco took Game Six, MVP sent this message to the team: “So we live to fight another day! Congrats for the win and a crack at the championship. Well done. Let’s close it out in Game Seven.” Pamintuan texted this message: “Thank you for your poise, composure and determination. You all showed physical and mental toughness out there. But the mission is not yet complete.” The Bolts went on to win Game Seven and will face San Miguel Beer in the best-of-seven Finals starting at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow. MVP, Vargas and Pamintuan will once more be at the forefront in inspiring Meralco to win its first-ever PBA championship.