Meralco succumbs to Seoul SK Knights in last EASL game

MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts ended their East Asia Super League (EASL) campaign on a low note after bowing to the mighty Seoul SK Knights, 72-62, Wednesday night at the Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium in South Korea.

The SK Knights pulled away late in the final quarter to end the group phase of the league with a 4-2 win-loss record.

The two teams were able to keep within striking distance of each other in the first three quarters.

The Bolts then took a 50-49 lead at the start of the final quarter with a Shonn Miller dunk.

Six straight points by Seoul gave them a 56-50 lead capped by a Leon Williams jumper.

After Anjo Caram answered with a jumper to cut the lead to four, 56-52, the Korea-based squad unleashed a backbreaking 9-2 run to grab an insurmountable 65-54 lead with 3:42 remaining in the game.

New Meralco import Alioune Tew cleaned up a Diego Dario miss to cut the cushion to nine, 56-65, but Ilyoung Heo hit a dagger 3-pointer to give Seoul a 68-56 advantage.

Leon Williams led the SK Knights with 25 points and 19 rebounds.

Heo added 23 points in 14 minutes off the bench.

Miller spearheaded the Bolts, which did not play its usual roster, with 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Alvin Pasaol added 14 markers in a rare starting gig.

The team did not field main guns Chris Newsome, Raymond Almazan, Aaron Black, Cliff Hodge, Allein Maliksi, Bong Quinto and Chris Banchero.

Meralco thus exits the tournament with a 1-5 record.

With the win, Seoul won Group B and set up a semifinals clash against Korean rivals Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters, who also finished the group phase with a 4-2 slate.

In the other semifinal matchup, the New Taipei Kings of the P. League+ will face the Chiba Jets of the Japan B.League.

The first-ever EASL Final Four will take place next month in Cebu.