It was more evident in the Bolts’ win against NLEX.
Shoot with confidence.
That was Meralco Bolts consultant Nenad Vucinic told the team early in their PBA On Tour game against the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday.
That’s because the Road Warriors had employed zone defense from start to finish, egging the Bolts to settle for outside shots.
Fortunately, Vucinic’s message rubbed off on the players, especially on Alvin Pasaol.
Pasaol did what NLEX wanted the Bolts to do, launching shots from beyond the arc and making seven of them. He finished with 25 points and 5 rebounds in close to 20 minutes of action.
His last shot from that range with still 2:20 remaining proved to be the dagger as the Bolts went away with a 96-83 victory at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Nakatulong po (lato-lato) para ma-warm up 'yung kamay,” he said in jest.
Turning serious, Pasaol said he was lucky his shots went in.
“Sa lahat ng talo namin, sa zone kami nagkakaproblema. Pag dating namin sa dugout kanina sabi ni coach Nenad shoot with confidence kasi binibigay sa ’min yung outside shots. Salamat sa Diyos pumapasok naman,” he said.
His stellar outing also had to do with his weight restriction. Pasaol said shedding some weight allows him to stay on the court longer now and to keep in tip-top shape.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa management ng Meralco tsaka kay coach Nenad na pinush nila ako na ibalik ko 'yung dati kong weight,” Pasaol said.
“Malaki po natulong nila sa ’kin. Kailangan ko i-return sa kanila ‘yung favor na kailangan ko magpapayat para makalaro akong mabuti.”
It seems to be paying off for Pasaol. And it might just be the impetus he needs to keep that weight in check moving forward.
(MDB)