Meralco Bolts run on power, passion

MANILA, Philippines - The Meralco Bolts B-Boys may not have a highly formidable lineup but they intend to come out fighting with intensity and passion right on Day One of their participation in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Team governor Ramon Segismundo, team manager Virgil Villavicencio and coach Ryan Gregorio revealed their outlook in a meeting with PBA beat writers moments before the official launch of the team at the Meralco Bldg in Pasig last night.

In joining the PBA, Segismundo said they would help social causes while also trying to relive the glory years of the old Meralco team.

Segismundo announced a portion of proceeds from Meralco games would go to Caritas Manila, the social arm of the archdiocese of Manila.

“Of course, we also want to win. We’ll be there fighting from Day One. We’ll have a team with courage, ambition and passion to win a championship,” said the Meralco top executive.

With a lineup not as competitive as his former roster at B-MEG Derby Ace, Gregorio said the B-Boys would be a defensive, running team quite like Rain or Shine.

“We can’t be a team playing deliberate game, executing half court plays because we’re not that strong,” said Gregorio.

The former Derby Ace bench tactician, however, remains hopeful he can complete a competitive lineup from the coming rookie draft.

“We understand that it’s going to be rough before it gets easy. The challenge is to get the right guys who would be with us for a long time,” said Gregorio who has three picks in the second round.

“With the present crop, after the first three picks, there could be no more major stars but the remaining talent is enough to secure spots. Hopefully, we land players skillful enough to help us,” Gregorio said.

Gregorio and his staff that includes Ronnie Magsanoc, Boyet Fernandez, Patrick Fran and Javier Nunag concurred they need to give priority to the forward and point guard positions.

Looking at the talent power of present rosters, Gregorio said Meralco couldn’t be ranked higher than San Miguel Beer, Talk n Text, B-MEG Derby Ace, Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk.

“It’s good that the management understands that it’s going to be a process. It’s not an overnight thing,” said Gregorio.

“What we have right now is a pretty good defensive team with a go-to-guy in Macmac (Cardona). I hope the players embrace their roles because that’s the essence of the team. Some must be willing to defend, some must be willing to get the rebounds,” Gregorio also said.

“If we can play defense and make the necessary stops, we can compete even without that much talent,” he added.

Gregorio remembered going through the same rebuilding process when he took the rein at Purefoods on the post-Alvin Patrimonio era.

“We got the right players from the draft and through trades, and we were successful,” said Gregorio.

The youthful mentor said Cardona would play a major role in their initial forays.

“Macmac has been in the top three in league scoring ladder in the last three season. He can kill you in so many ways more than one. If we can play our strength, then we’ll have our chance to win games,” Gregorio said.

Meanwhile, Alaska Milk, fresh from winning the 2010 Fiesta Conference, has agreed in principle to give swingman Cyrus Baguio a three-year contract-extension deal worth P12.6 million -- the maximum amount allowed under league rules.

Over at B-MEG Derby Ace, Paul Artadi and Jonathan Fernandez were signed to new two-year pacts.