The Meralco Bolts are allowed to bring in three imports and nine locals in the Basketball Champions League.
Meralco is on the lookout for high-caliber imports when it locks horns in the Basketball Champions League Asia next month.
Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo said they already have prospects but refused to name them.
“But we're excited about that we're able to get three imports. It's either two imports and a naturalized, or you can bring three. Because most of these teams we're playing have three imports,” said Trillo.
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Is Meralco bringing in naturalized player Ange Koaume? After all, the 6-foot-11 cager reinforced the Bolts in the East Asia Super League.
Trillo said the former UAAP champion with Ateneo is definitely an option.
“Ange is always part of us in the EASL. I'm sure he'll be thought about. But to be good here in this competition, there might be other options that we have,” he said.
“But here, it's a two-week tournament. We'll have other... maybe an opportunity with higher level guys. So we have a couple in mind who's trying to ink that out. Some of you may know, but we don't want to say anything until we sign them up.”
The Bolts are making the ultimate sacrifice of representing the PBA and the Philippines in the tournament organized by FIBA.
The PBA already had to tweak its schedule to give Meralco some time to prepare for the June 9-15 meet.
After the international joust, Meralco returns to the country in time for the PBA playoffs.
While the next weeks are going to be taxing for the Bolts now toting a 3-5 record, Trillo and his charges are thrilled to compete outside the country anew.
“We're excited, we just have to pivot now because that's in the middle of the playoffs. So think about it, we have to play their five knockout games. Then if you win, I think you play semis, finals,” Trillo said.
“And then you come home, and in two days we get into our quarterfinals. So we're honored to do this, we are doing a sacrifice. So we're going to plan ahead.”