Tony Bishop made a good impression in his first game with Meralco which he hopes to sustain in order to keep the team’s constant good run of form in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Bishop seemed to have made the Bolts feel much better after losing former NBA player Shabazz Muhammad after posting 28 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks in the 98-77 rout of the Blackwater Bossing last Dec. 16.
The Panamanian national team player understands the previous success of the Bolts, who reached the finals of the season-ending conference in three of the last four editions with multiple-time Best Import Allen Durham.
“All I can do is come in and play hard every game,” said Bishop. “I know the goals this team has before I came and I know the goals that we have now. I just came from the Finals in Puerto Rico so I have that hunger and aggression to win a championship.
“I know what’s at stake so I will give it my all in every game and win a championship,” the 32-year-old said.
Bishop was a last-minute signing for Meralco after Muhammad backed out of suiting up for Meralco.
He had just finished his Puerto Rico which saw his club Mets de Guaynabo lost in six games to Capitanes de Arecibo in six games of a best-of-seven title series when Meralco coach Norman Black and team manager Paolo Trillo came calling.
“I was in the Finals in Puerto Rico. And right after it ended, I got a contract about playing here,” said Bishop. “I heard nothing but good things in this league, I said for sure I’m interested. I talked to the coach, the GM and everything and we worked things out.
Bishop was among the shortlist of imports prior to the start of the conference before Muhammad initially agreed. But his sudden pullout led to an opportunity for himself.
“I think they chose him first because I was still in season. He’s an NBA guy, too. NBA guys get priority,” said Bishop.
“But he’s a good guy. Shabazz is a good player, too. I’m thankful that it all worked out to my favor and play out here in this good league and have fun.”