Meralco had little time to prepare for the Basketball Champions League Asia, but expect the Bolts to come out swinging in hopes of representing the PBA and Philippines well.
The Meralco Bolts plunge into action as they kick off their campaign in the Basketball Champions League Asia against Shabab Al Ahli Red Knights on Saturday, June 7.
The match starts at 10 p.m. (Manila time) at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall in Dubai.
[RELATED STORY: Meralco Bolts drawn with B.LEAGUE champion Brex in BCL Asia]
Representing the Philippines on the continental stage, Meralco will be tested right away against the host team that finished as runners-up in last year’s BCL Asia tournament.
Shabab Al Ahli fell to Al Riyadi in the 2024 finals and is expected to contend again this year.
The Bolts, meanwhile, are still trying to find their footing, entering the week-long tournament with a reinforced but untested lineup.
[ALSO READ: Meralco plugs in Jordon Varnado, John Egbunu, Glynn Watson for BCL Asia]
Imports Jordon Vardano and Glynn Watson joined team practices in Manila just days before flying out, while 6-foot-11 big man John Egbunu only linked up with the team in Dubai.
Chemistry will be a concern for head coach Luigi Trillo and the rest of the squad, who are essentially cramming for high-level competition against seasoned Asian clubs. Still, Meralco hopes its mix of athleticism, grit, and quick adjustments can compensate for limited preparation.
As the Bolts aim to make noise in their BCL Asia debut, Saturday’s matchup offers a steep climb—but also an opportunity to show that Philippine club basketball can compete with the best in the region.
[ALSO READ: BCL Asia guide: Meralco Bolts put PBA back to FIBA club competition]
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]