By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Meralco is the top defensive team in the PBA Governors' Cup.
And in an elimination game, the team showed its stopping prowess.
The Bolts limited Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to only 37 points in the first half of Game 6 of the Finals at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue on Wednesday night.
[Related Story: Hugnatan, Meralco ties series, pushes PBA Finals to decider]
"Our defense was pretty solid for the most part of the game," Black simply said. "I'm just happy they responded today, particularly on the defensive end."
The field goal percentage may give you a different perspective as Ginebra (49 percent) actually shot better than Meralco (44 percent) the entire game, but most of Ginebra's made attempts came in the second half where the team made the game a bit interesting.
It was the Bolts' perimeter D that mattered the most as they got eight steals, clogged the Barangay's passing lanes, and made them commit 10 more unforced errors for a total of 18 turnovers compared to 16 assists, a rare time that they had more errors than feeds. Garvo Lanete was accounted for three of the Bolts' eight interceptions.
"Garvo Lanete got us off to a really good start," said Black on Lanete, who also exploded offensively especially in the first half and finished with 15 markers.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
