Bolts to take EASL by storm

LAS VEGAS – Meralco will fly the PBA flag in its third consecutive EASL appearance and the Bolts are determined to win it all after failing to advance to the Final Four the last two seasons. PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said the league will back up Meralco’s bid all the way to the throne as a highlight goal in its Golden Anniversary.

EASL has reconfigured its schedule this season to expand from eight teams and 28 games in 2023-24 to 10 teams and 34 games last campaign and now to 12 teams and 42 games. PBA was represented by Meralco and TNT in EASL’s inaugural home-and-away season then by Meralco and San Miguel Beer. The Bolts won one game in 2023-24 and two last season, falling a win short of crashing the Final Four after dropping a double OT decision to New Taipei in the final contest of the group stage.

PBA will be represented only by Meralco, the 2024 Philippine Cup champion, in EASL this season where the 12 contenders are coming from seven territories – three from Japan, three from Chinese-Taipei, two from South Korea and one each from Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia and the Philippines – split into three groups of four. The Bolts are bracketed with the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, Ryukyu Golden Kings and Macau Black Bears. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of Six. The best two finishers will battle in the final for a $1 million prize.

Meralco will play six games, three home and three away, in the group stage. The Bolts will open their campaign against Ryukyu in Okinawa on Oct. 22 then travel to Taipei to face Taoyuan on Nov. 2. Meralco will host Taoyuan on Nov. 8 and Macau on Nov. 15 then meet the Black Bears in Macau on Dec. 6 and battle Ryukyu at home on Feb. 11. Venue for Meralco’s home games is now being finalized with the possibility of playing at the Bren Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Meralco’s PBA Board Governor Atty. Bill Pamintuan said “we are committing to bring more excitement, pride and honor to Philippine basketball in our EASL campaign and this coming Philippine Cup.” Pamintuan said the Bolts will be bannered by naturalized player Justin Brownlee, world imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ismael Romero and an Asian import whose identity will be disclosed once his visa is issued. Rookie draft pick Jason Brickman is expected to play a vital role in boosting the Bolts’ power surge.

The PBA Board’s support is evident in Ginebra allowing Brownlee and TNT lending import Hollis-Jefferson to play for Meralco. Romero, 34, was a naturalized player on the Puerto Rican national squad that saw action at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics. He defected from Cuba in 2012 and sought political asylum in Puerto Rico. The 6-9 center has played as an import in Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina, South Korea, Spain, Israel and Libya.