Meralco Bolts stick with Butch; RoS eyes Chism

MANILA, Philippines – After a scintillating 40-point, 31-rebound effort, Brian Butch has saved his job.

Meralco Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio has confirmed to Philstar.com that Butch is staying put and will play in their Wednesday’s game against the struggling Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

“Brian Butch is playing,” Gregorio told Philstar.com.

“Rain or Shine is an upper echelon team, their early struggle is dangerous. They will come out fighting and we must be ready,” Gregorio added.

Butch sizzled with 21 points in the fourth quarter in an courageous effort to save the Bolts and his spot in the team as they overhauled a huge 20-point deficit in the final 10 minutes to score a 109-98 victory last Sunday night at the Big Dome.

Read related story: Butch delivers under pressure as Bolts jolt Express

The Bolts have already worked out Darnell Jackson, who was described by Gregorio as massive with his 6-9, 219-lb built and likes to play inside, until Butch exploded one more time last Sunday. The former McDonald's All-American All Star earlier recorded 42 points in a win against GlobalPort. 

The impressive come-from-behind win against Air21 moved Meralco to the top four with a 3-2 win-loss card.

Butch has been impressive in averaging 32.8 points, 22.6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.4 blocks in five games except in the Talk n Text loss where he was held down to 16 points but grabbed 20 rebounds. 

Rain or Shine, meanwhile, will play with Alexander McLean for one last time against Butch and the Bolts as Wayne Chism, a previous Barako Bull import candidate, is reportedly coming in to take over his spot. 

McLean was far from spectacular compared to the other imports with averages of 22.8 points and 15.3 rebounds as the Elasto Painters could only show one win in four starts.