After being sent off in Game 3 of the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals, Meralco quickly regained its winning touch in its opener against Macau in the EASL.
There was nothing more painful than an untimely exit coming off your euphoric maiden Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) championship.
Such was the case for Meralco in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.
Nearly four months after their title breakthrough in last season's Philippine Cup, the Bolts found themselves reeling from another heartbreaking loss to playoff rival Ginebra in the quarterfinals.
“Playing in that series against Ginebra, it was definitely a reality check again. It brought us back down to earth,” said Meralco skipper Chris Newsome.
But it is a lesson the Bolts needed to learn the hard way: the hunger for a title should not diminish after getting the first one.
“It’s a sign that after a championship, we have to regain that hunger again to try to get another one, because there are other teams out there trying to take it from you,” Newsome said.
“Again, it’s a gut check for us.”
That was more than enough motivation for the Bolts to fare better in the ongoing East Asia Super League.
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Meralco did not look deflated coming off a gut-wrenching quarters sweep from the Gin Kings as it hammered out a 97-85 win over Macau at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Newsome finished with 18 points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals, while Allen Durham and DJ Kennedy added 17 points apiece.
[RELATED STORY: Meralco vents ire on Macau in EASL after ‘tough’ PBA exit vs Ginebra]
“For us to be able to bounce back two days later and we get to have the opportunity to bounce back from that quarterfinal loss, it was definitely something we needed as an organization, as a team: for us to find our rhythm again and have a fresh start,” Newsome said.
“We’re definitely able to get that win that we needed after losing three straight. I think that could do a lot for your confidence as a team and organization.”