In order to stay alive and force its 2021 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series against Magnolia to go the distance, Meralco is intent on keeping a patient, even-keeled approach that involves taking things as they come.
Head coach Norman Black says it's the most optimal plan of attack - at least, from a mental standpoint - two days after the Hotshots pressured, rattled, and pushed the Bolts into the precipice of elimination following an 81-69 shackling in Game 4 of the best-of-seven matchup.
"The team's spirits are OK and we will be ready to play in Game 5," said Black of Meralco, which will begin an uphill climb from a 1-3 deficit on Wednesday. "The focus is all on the game Wednesday and staying alive in the series."
Black, of course, opted to keep his cards close to his chest and declined to go into detail on their adjustments, but he did acknowledge that the Bolts have to do a better job in setting the table against the Hotshots' patented hounding defense.
"We have to do a better job versus their pressure defense," he explained briefly.
Meralco hardly got a rhythm going in Game 4 and made only 36.2 percent of their field goals - a figure which wouldn't have been a problem against Magnolia's equally murky offense if not for the fact that they committed more turnovers (22) than assists (15). The Hotshots, for their part, got 26 points off the Bolts' miscues.
There's still a glimmer of hope, though. Teams climbing out of a 1-3 hole is no longer uncommon, and Meralco has shown it's capable of storming back from big deficits.
Even better, the Bolts' bid for a comeback can possibly get a boost in the form of big man Raymond Almazan, who missed the previous match no thanks to a left ankle injury from Game 3. With his side now in a must-win situation, though, he has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable.
"Raymond is a game-time decision," disclosed Black.
On the other hand, Magnolia remains wary of the dangers that this Meralco team possesses, with or without Almazan. Closing out the series is easier said than done, but the Hotshots are well aware of the opportunity to book their first finals ticket since the 2019 edition of this very same conference.
"We don't want another Game 3," explained head coach Chito Victolero after their win last Sunday, referring to his team's failure to capitalize on a 2-0 series start.
"When we get win number four, that's only time we'll end the series. No one wins a best-of-seven with just three wins. We have to stay focused and we have to remind everybody that the most important game is the one that we'll play on that day. Not Game 6, not Game 7, but Game 5."