Meralco has been walking wounded through three games in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup and that is not expected to change with more players joining the sick bay.

Head coach Luigi Trilo has no other recourse but to bank on his team’s "next man up" mentality and hope that his reserves deliver as they try to navigate through the hectic PBA schedule without their key players in Chris Newsome and Aaron Black.

Black was diagnosed with a meniscus injury while Newsome missed Meralco’s 107-91 win over Terrafirma after hurting his ankle in the game prior. 

While there’s some optimism that Newsome could return to the lineup by next week, the same could not be said for Black who is set to undergo surgery that would sideline him for at least a month.

“May meniscus siya. We tried to check sa doctor, MRI and he has to have surgery so he’ll be out for one month. That’s a big blow sa amin wala sa amin si Aaron,” said Trillo.

“Si New yung tapilok niya, we thought to ourselves na wag na muna gamitin kasi next week sunud sunod yung laro. May out of town kami it's just a smart thing to do not to force him,” he added.

Those were only the latest to the Bolts who have yet to be completed this season with Allein Maliksi missing their first two games while Raymond Almazan still not good to go for his season debut.

Even active consultant Nenad Vucinic was feeling under the weather and not around during the game against Terrafirma while import Allen Durham is yet to be back to his top shape.

“Maraming mga injuries and it normally happens when you are practicing hard,” added the amiable coach.   

Good thing, the Bolts shocktroopers were ready and stepped up with Bong Quinto fully embracing his role as one of the main weapons for the team, firing 22 points including three straight triples in the final frame to create the much-needed separation against the Dyip.

He, too, actually has some injury scare before his explosion after slipping to a wet spot and sustaining a mild knee contusion he managed to play through the rest of the way.

Rookie CJ Cansino also rose to the occasion with 16 points.

“We are confident with these guys. Anjo (Caram) did a good job. Jolo (Mendoza) helped CB and I also thought CJ helped Bong and Allein,” said Trillo.