EASL: Meralco to test their mettle, Ryukyu aims to retain top spot
In their first encounter in the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL), the Meralco Bolts suffered their first defeat at the hands of the Japan B.League's Ryukyu Golden Kings.
With their second match-up coming up on Wednesday, January 22, at the Philsports Arena, the two squads will have something to defend and fight for.
The Bolts will seek to bounce back from their setback in the previous match as a push to clinch another win and improve their chance of entering the semifinals, while the Golden Kings will aim to keep their crown secure, with them now conquering the standings of Group B with a 4-1 win-loss record which also assured them of a playoff berth.
Meralco will be led by team captain Chris Newsome along with their imports Akil Mitchell and David Kennedy, and the local unit with the likes of Chris Banchero, Cliff Hodge, Bong Quinto, and more.
Newsome and Banchero led Meralco's scoring with a combined 39 points against San Miguel on Saturday, January 18, securing the Bolts a quarterfinal position in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
The team's win could be useful as momentum going to their next game when they face the Golden Kings on the hardcourt.
On the other hand, Ryuichi Kishimoto will lead the battle for the Ryukyu in order to retain and keep their spot as the leading team in the standings. He will be supported by their imports Vic Law and Jack Cooley, together with Alex Kirk, Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki, Masahiro Waki, and the rest of the squad.
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