Chris Newsome and the Meralco Bolts face a daunting task in the Basketball Champions League Asia, facing the B.LEAGUE champion Brex and host team Shabab Al Ahli.
To say that Meralco will cram for the Basketball Champions League Asia in Dubai is an understatement.
The Bolts just wrapped up their elimination round schedule in PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, with the defending champion Bolts taking their playoff spot with a win over Ginebra last May 30.
[RELATED STORY: Chris Newsome glad to clinch Meralco's Philippine Cup playoff spot before BCL Asia stint]
Now, coach Luigi Trillo said they are still scrambling for reinforcements as they Bolts play their first BCL Asia game on June 7.
There’s very little time to prepare, but that’s the challenge Trillo’s charges will need to overcome as they represent the PBA and the Philippines in the tournament, where a lone Asian seat in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2025 is at stake.
The Meralco team is set to leave for the UAE on June 4 or 5. But before that, meet the Bolts' foes in Group B.
Utsunomiya Brex (Japan)
Utsunomiya Brex, the newly-minted Japan B.LEAGUE champions, are all set to make their BCL Asia debut.
The Brex clinched their slot by surviving the Ryukyu Golden Kings in a three-game Finals. On the way there, Utsunomiya had a league-best 48-12 win-loss record, then beat the Seahorses Mikawa and the Chiba Jets as part of the team's playoff run.
Now the winningest B.LEAGUE team with three titles, the Brex are expected to lean on a pair of domestic MVPs in DJ Newbill and Makoto Hiejima, as well as the always-reliable Isaac Fotu.
Shabab Al Ahli (United Arab Emirates)
Make no mistake about it. Though qualified by virtue of being the host team, Shabab Al Ahli will be no easy opponent.
For one, the Dubai-based club is coming off a runner-up finish in the 2024 edition of BCL Asia, which was also played on their home turf.
As if that wasn’t enough to convince fans they are one tough cookie to crack, Shabab Al Ahli enter the BCL Asia as the Gulf League champions of the 2024-25 FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL).
Players to watch include Deshawndre Washington, a prolific all-around scorer, as well as star big man Qais Alshabebi.