AN undermanned Meralco debuts in the EASL on Wednesday against reigning B. League champion Ryukyu Golden Kings at the Okinawa Arena.
Without three of their key players in import Suleiman Braimoh, Chris Banchero and gunner Allein Maliksi, the Bolts arrived in Japan on Monday, making them shorthanded in their 7 p.m. match against a Ryukyu side that features former Meralco import Allen Durham and young Filipino player Karl Tamayo.
Nonetheless, coach Luigi Trillo vows to give the Golden Kings a run for their money despite playing with just Prince Ibeh as Meralco’s lone import.
“We’ll try to do our best, we’re not going to raise the white flag,” said Trillo prior to the team’s departure. “It’s a chance for us to show also what we can do. Overall, it’s exciting to be in the EASL.”
Braimoh encountered problem securing a Japanese visa, Banchero is out with a hamstring injury, while Maliksi suffered a nasal fracture in the Bolts’ last game against Blackwater over the weekend.
Even the 7-foot Ibeh is coming off an injury and just practiced with the team several times.
“He’s (Ibeh) going to be a bit testy for us in terms of not having an import who plays for us,” said Trillo of the Bolts’ other reinforcement outside of Braimoh, who is the team’s regular import in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Meanwhile, Ryukyu carries an even 1-1 record in Group B.
Initially, it lost to the Seoul SK Knights on the road, 82-69, but got even following an 80-79 thriller at home.
Apart from Durham, who won three PBA Best Import Awards with the Bolts, the Golden Kings also have Vic Law, Alex Kirk, and Jack Cooley for their reinforcements.
Over in Taipeh, TNT will have Rondae Hollis-Jefferson back in its lineup as it takes on the Taipei Fubon Braves at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.
The 28-year-old former NBA player missed out on the Tropang Giga’s Nov. 1 game against the visiting Chiba Jets after contracting gastroenteritis.
TNT lost that match in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, 75-66, to go down at 0-2 in Group A.
But the Braves are also in the same 0-2 predicament after an 85-82 overtime setback against Chiba behind the game-winning three-pointer of Yuki Togashi, and a 98-77 rout at the hands of Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters in Korea.