Meralco Bolts shift focus to East Asia Super League

SUCCESSFUL in hurdling their killer schedule in the PBA, the Meralco Bolts quickly shifted their focus to kicking off their East Asia Super League (EASL)campaign on a bright note.

A day after beating Magnolia, 78-76, to make it three-of-three in five days in the Philippine Cup, the Bolts flew to Okinawa for their EASL opener on Wednesday against Japan B.League powerhouse Ryukyu Golden Kings.

Prior to handing the Hotshots their first loss, the Bolts defeated Blackwater (105-96) and Barangay Ginebra (89-75) in a mighty rebound from a 0-2 start.

“Honestly, we were kind of worried about this because we were at 0-2 at that point and then we’re playing Blackwater then Ginebra and Magnolia. But this is a testament to the team’s character,” said coach Luigi Trillo.

“(Active consultant) Coach Nenad (Vucinic) was trying to say it would be nice to get one more win moving to Okinawa,” he added.

The away gig against the B.League runners-up will mark Meralco’s sixth game in eight days. But the Bolts, who are on their third stint in the regional league, are embracing the tough challenge.

“We’re  (quite) used to this. Last year nakalaro kami ng BCL (Basketball Champions League-Asia) at EASL so we’re used to getting multiple games, we’re also used to traveling like this. But it doesn’t mean that we’re used to it na, we’ll always get the W, right?” said Mr. Trillo.

“It’s nice na we’ve got three straight. So that might be a good omen moving into Okinawa,” he added.

Three-time PBA champion and Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Puerto Rican national mainstay Ismael Romero are reinforcing the Bolts in this year’s EASL. Naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee is expected to come on board later on. — Olmin Leyba