Meralco opens its PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup campaign against new team Titan Ultra. But coach Luigi Trillo and his wards are not taking the Calvin Abueva-led Giant Risers.
The Meralco Bolts look to kick off their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup campaign on a winning note as they clash with debuting squad Titan Ultra Giant Risers on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
The match starts at 5:15 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
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Still smarting from a relatively underwhelming previous season, the Bolts are determined to bounce back after failing to defend their Philippine Cup crown.
Meralco’s title defense ended prematurely in the quarterfinals, where they bowed out to eventual champion San Miguel Beer—a setback that has only fueled their drive for redemption.
Coach Luigi Trillo knows that while the Bolts have the experience and chemistry advantage, they can’t afford to underestimate the league’s newest team.
“You can’t take them lightly. At the start of the All-Filipino, lahat 'yan pantay, lahat kumpiyansa. We have to be on our guard,” said Trillo in an article on PBA's website.
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The Bolts will be buoyed by the return of veteran sharpshooter Allein Maliksi, who is back in action after a long recovery from knee and back injuries. His comeback provides a huge boost to Meralco’s perimeter game and leadership core.
Meanwhile, Chris Newsome, who recently represented Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia, finally gets a well-deserved reset and is expected to return to PBA action with fresh legs and focus.
Meralco’s challenge now lies in re-establishing its defensive identity and championship poise against a Titan Ultra squad eager to make a splash in its first PBA appearance.
With Maliksi’s return, Newsome’s leadership, and Trillo’s steady hand, the Bolts aim to remind everyone why they remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league’s All-Filipino wars.
(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.]