MERALCO will have the benefit of the home fans as it plays its final crucial outing in the EASL Home and Away Season 3.
The Bolts battle the Ryukyu Golden Kings at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 11 on the final day of the group stage that will determine the final cast advancing in the league’s newly-branded postseason championship event.
Meralco currently stands at third place in Group B with a 3-2 record, just below Ryukyu (3-1) and Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (4-1).
Ryukyu and Taoyuan will still face each other in Okinawa, Japan on Feb. 4 prior to the travelling to Manila for the rematch with the Bolts.
The Bolts could still forge a three-way tie with a win over Ryukyu and the Golden Kings beating the Pilots at home.
Fans will get to see in the 7:30 p.m. game Justin Brownlee donning Meralco’s blue and orange jersey as he tries to give the Bolts a last-minute charge in the team’s bid to make the post-season for the first time.
READ: SOURCES SAY Justin Brownlee to play for Meralco before Gilas run
Brownlee made his Meralco debut last Dec. 6 in Ilagan, Isabela when he teamed up with long-time rival Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in a 93-91 win over the Macau Black Bears.
Unfortunately, Hollis-Jefferson suffered an Achilles tendon rupture and is out of action for about a year.
Meanwhile, following the 12-team regular season, the EASL unveils its newly-rebranded postseason championship event.
The revised format will have the top two teams from Groups A, B, and C qualify for the league’s EASL Finals, marking the league’s first-ever six-team playoff format and replacing the previous Final Four structure.
Game days for the EASL Finals are scheduled for March 18, March 20, and March 22, with the EASL Championship and Third-Place Game closing the postseason on March 22.
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