Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming East Asia Super League game between Meralco and Ryukyu.
An East Asia Super League playoff berth is on the line for Meralco as the Bolts go against Ryukyu Golden Kings.
The Bolts tackle the Japan B.LEAGUE powerhouse in a do-or-die set on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With a 3-2 record, Meralco needs to win by at least six points to qualify in the 2026 EASL Finals.
The Bolts resume their campaign in the regional joust without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who suffered an Achilles tear in their 93-91 win over Macau Black Bears last December.
That was Meralco’s third straight win, setting the team up for another do-or-die clash. Last year, the Bolts were put in the same position, but lost to the New Taipei Kings in double overtime and failed to advance.
This time, the Bolts have Justin Brownlee to pick up the scoring cudgels, along with Ismael Romero and impressive Sina Vahedi.
Cady Lalanne, who is the NLEX import for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, will take over RHJ’s spot for Meralco’s EASL roster.
As an added bonus, the Bolts can still win Group B if they beat the Golden Kings by more than 20 points.
Winning the group is significant, as the top-2 Group winners get a bye into the semifinals.
Meanwhile, a win assures Ryukyu of the top seed in the Group B.
A loss by five points or less will also book the former B.LEAGUE champions a slot in the next phase, but as a no. 2 qualifier behind P.LEAGUE+’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.