MERALCO dropped its opening game of the 2025 Basketball Champions League Asia, bowing to Shabab Al Ahli, 101-87, on Saturday in Dubai.
The Bolts faltered in the second half after posting a 56-53 lead, while also conceding 40 points to Shabab Al Ahli import Deshawndre Washington in their Group B match-up.
Meralco was only trailing, 73-72, late in the third quarter before the host team pulled away. The Bolts were also outscored in the final period, 22-13.
Meralco, which earned a place in the BCL Asia for being the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup champion, will have little time to regroup as it takes on Japan B.League titlist Utsunomiya Brex on Sunday in Dubai in its final game of the group stage.
The Bolts are looking to barge into the quarterfinal round by being in the top eight overall among the nine teams that were divided into three groups.
Meralco import Jordon Varnado had 19 points and eight rebounds, Glynn Watson had 19 markers, and Chris Newsome added 15 points before fouling out in the final three minutes of the contest.
Al Ahli shot 10 of 18 (56 percent) from threes with Washington nailing three of six. Jermaine Love had 22 points and made two threes.
“(Al Ahl) deserved to win. They really played well offensively. They gave us a lot of problems. They shot the ball extremely well from the three-point line. Did well in transition as well, which was partially was our fault as well,” said Meralco active consultant Nenad Vucinic, who is serving as the team’s head coach for the BCL Asia tournament.
The scores:
Shabab Al Ahli 101 – Washington 40, Love 22, Alshabebi 15, H. Albreiki 13, Hawley 8, Alameri 3, A. Albreiki 0, S. Alajmani 0, M. Alajmani 0, Alnuaimi 0.
Meralco 87 – Varnado 19, Watson 19, Newsome 15, Egbunu 12, Banchero 11, Almazan 5, Hodge 4, Quinto 2, Cansino 0, Black 0.
Quarters: 35-27; 53-56; 79-74; 101-87.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
