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Meralco banks on the defensive prowess of rookie massive man Brandon Bates because it lastly beats Ginebra in a best-of-seven sequence to get a crack at defending PBA Philippine Cup champion San Miguel
BATANGAS, Philippines – A rookie made the massive distinction as Meralco reached the PBA Philippine Cup finals for the primary time in franchise historical past.
The Bolts banked on the defensive prowess of younger massive man Brandon Bates in securing a 78-69 win over Barangay Ginebra of their do-or-die Sport 7 on the FPJ Area in San Jose right here on Friday, Might 31.
Bates posted season highs of 13 rebounds and 6 blocks on prime of 6 factors in half-hour as Meralco lastly beat the Gin Kings in a best-of-seven sequence to get a crack at dethroning defending champion San Miguel.
“It’s unreal. I’ve by no means performed in a sequence like that, particularly towards Ginebra. The followers are towards you, everybody’s towards you,” stated Bates. “It’s good power. I adore it.”
“Earlier than the sport, we had been informed to be courageous, play courageous, and I simply took that to coronary heart. I used to be like, you recognize what? I don’t need to go house. I’m going to play courageous.”
His 6 blocks – probably the most by any participant this season – proved essential in limiting Ginebra to its lowest scoring output in three years, or because the Bolts beat the Gin Kings, 79-66, within the 2021 version of the All-Filipino match.
With Bates defending the paint, the Ginebra twin towers of Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar had been made to labor for his or her offense.
Standhardinger nonetheless completed with 16 factors, albeit on a 6-of-17 taking pictures, whereas Aguilar put up simply 8 factors on a 3-of-11 clip.
“Most likely after I was 15, 16. It’s been some time since then. It’s good,” stated Bates when requested concerning the final time he recorded as many blocks.
“I felt like I used to be in a zone at the moment. I actually wanted to do this for the staff. I’m at all times keen to do regardless of the staff wants,” he added.
The eighth total decide, although, could have his fingers full once more as Meralco goes up towards a mighty Beermen facet led by seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
However Bates is as much as the duty.
“It’s nearly attempting one of the best I can to restrict him. You’re by no means going to cease him. He’s one of the best massive man within the league,” Bates stated of Fajardo.
“C Stan is without doubt one of the finest massive males within the league, Japeth is without doubt one of the finest massive males within the league. You’re by no means going to cease them, however so long as you possibly can restrict them, that’s a very powerful factor.” – Rappler.com
