Pinch-hitting import Zach Lofton is making a strong case of prolonging his stint as Meralco’s reinforcement.
The Bolts import in the East Asia Super League had an explosive debut in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, powering the Bolts to an emphatic 125-99 win over NorthPort Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
Standing a shade below 6-foot-4, Lofton, the shortest import in the tournament, made up for his lack of size with a huge performance that helped the Bolts rack up their fifth win in six games to move up in a share for second to third spots with Phoenix.
As a team, the Bolts picked up their third straight victory and their latest triumph snapped the Batang Pier’s three-game winning streak.
After scoring only five in the first period, Lofton exploded for 16 in the second period then drilled in 20 more in the third quarter.
By the early fourth, Lofton had scored 54 points and was pulled out with still more than seven minutes left in the final canto with the game in the bag for Meralco, 112-74.
Lofton took over the spot of the injured Sulaiman Braimoh, who tore his Achilles, but the Meralco coaching staff and management are still looking for another big reinforcement who will hold the fort for the Bolts entering the final stretch of the elimination round.
But Lofton’s explosive performance kept Meralco coaching staff’s options open until such time the Bolts find a new replacement.
“We dedicate this game to Su. He’s a big part of the family,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said.
“Su is out, but Zach was expected to play two games, but with the way he played, he kept our options open.”
Lofton wasn’t the only great inclusion for the Bolts on Sunday as the team also welcomed the return of Allein Maliksi, who had a nasal fracture but appeared to be playing more comfortable with his mask on.
In his return, Maliksi pumped in 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
For NorthPort, fatigue had taken a toll on the players as the team which played three games in five days just didn’t have a lot left in the tank.
Import Venky Jois, who missed the team’s previous 115-101 win over San Miguel last 8 December due to a hamstring injury, came back against Meralco, but wasn’t in his usual self.
Against the Bolts, Jois was only good for nine points and nine rebounds as the Batang Pier coaching staff tried to manage his minutes.
