Perseverance, redemption & triumph
MANILA, Philippines – If you go to the Meralco Gym inside the Meralco compound along Ortigas Avenue, there is a canteen next to the badminton court and about a minute’s walk from the basketball court.
Once inside, the wall has several mounted photos of the old Meralco Reddy Kilowatts that competed from 1968-1972 in the defunct MICAA (Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association). The photos celebrate the 1971 MICAA Open, where the Reddy Kilowatts defeated Crispa. There are also photos that celebrate their National Seniors and National Invitational trophies that were organized by the then-Basketball Association of the Philippines.
When I would eat there, when attending practices to interview the coaches and players, I would sit in the canteen and look at all the pictures. At first, it was with a sense of wonder. Later, I wondered as the Bolts were continuously frustrated by Ginebra if the organization was living off old glory.
I worked for the Meralco Bolts from 2014-17, writing stories for their website as well as regular media. During that time, they made the finals four times, losing every one of them to Ginebra. That is why I was there in the canteen to mull over what was happening and when the frustration would end.
After Meralco defeated Ginebra and then San Miguel en route to this Philippine Cup title, I thought of those who were there from the beginning of the heartbreak (let’s be clear — the beginning and not the middle — Cliff Hodge, who was selected in the 2012 draft; Anjo Caram, who was picked on the 2013 draft; and Chris Newsome, who came on board from the 2015 draft. On the coaching staff were Gene Afable, Reynel Hugnatan, who suited up for the bolts during those finals teams that were unable to bring home the trophy; Norman Black, who presided over the Meralco teams; and Paolo Trillo, who remains team manager).
It would have been nice to have bagged the title earlier, but at least they are still part of the organization.
And I thought of the photos on the canteen’s wall. They should proudly post these new photos next to the old ones. The fact that they are in color will differ greatly from those old grainy black and white pictures. It’s
