MERALCO will be hard-pressed to get even against New Taipei Kings in their EASL rematch as it won’t have two of its key players for the game.
The Bolts didn’t include Chris Newsome and Aaron Black to their 12-man roster seeing action in the 7 p.m. encounter against the visiting P.League+ side at the Philsports Arena.
Newsome advised to rest
It is not clear what ails the two Meralco guards, although Newsome had been advised by doctors to rest for a week after Christmas.
Coach Luigi Trillo said the 33-year-old Newsome, the hero in the team’s dramatic 97-88 overtime win over Ryukyu Golden Kings in Macau, was not supposed to play in the Bolts’ game against defending PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra. But the Gilas Pilipinas stalwart suited up nonetheless, and finished with nine points in 23 minutes of a play in a game which the Bolts lost, 110-96.
Meanwhile, this will be the second time Black won’t be seeing action against the Taipei Kings as he also missed out on their first meeting – along with then injured Allein Maliksi – at the Xinzhuang gymnasium which Meralco also lost, 97-92.
Also not in the lineup are Alvin Pasaol, Norbert Torres, and Raymar Jose as the EASL only allows a 12-man roster for the game.
Mitchell not in Taipei's lineup
Tony Mitchell, who played for Magnolia and NLEX previously, has not been lined up by Taipei Kings, who will be Allan Manigault Jr and Christian Anigwe, who was part of the team that beat the Bolts in their first meeting.
Also in the lineup of Taipei is veteran naturalized player Quincy Davis.
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