ANOTHER set of 'Kings' stand in the way of Meralco in its bid for a semifinals berth.
The Bolts clash with the New Taipei Kings in do-or-die encounter Wednesday night for the last Final Four berth in the EASL Home and Away Season 2.
The PBA side tangles with the home team at University of Taipei in another sudden-death clash for the Bolts.
Just two days ago, Barangay Ginebra Kings slammed the door on Meralco’s semifinals aspiration as they drubbed the Bolts, 94-87, in their win or go home match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
READ: Ginebra outlasts Meralco in Game 3, reaches semis vs NorthPort
Import Akil Mitchell was hampered by back spasm and a pulled groin and could only muster eight points (2-of-11 from the field), 12 rebounds, and three assists in the Game 3 loss.
Now chances of him suiting up against New Taipei is doubtful.
“I hope he can play,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
The Bolts however, got an added incentive as main man Chris Newsome opted to go with the team in the Chinese Taipei capital, skipping the initial training camp of Gilas Pilipinas at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.
Instead, the 34-year-old Fil-Am will reconnect with his national teammates in Doha as he will travel to the Qatar capital the day after the EASL game.
“We still have a chance to win this game and end up in the Final Four. And definitely I don’t want to leave my brothers whenever they have a chance to make it to the semis,” said Newsome, who left with the entire team for Taiwan on Monday.
“That’s something that would be grateful for the program. That would allow some of the guys to get a semifinal bonus, something that we just missed out on here in the PBA. So that gives us a chance.”
Another thing going for the Bolts is the possible absence of New Taipei star player Jeremy Lin. The former NBA player has been out of action since January 21 owing to a right hamstring injury.
A win by Meralco (2-3) over New Taipei (3-2) will forge a three-way logjam for second place in Group B together with the Macau Black Bears (3-3).
But the Bolts will clinch the last Final Four berth in the group owing to a better quotient.
Already assured of slots in the Final Four are the Hiroshima Dragonflies and Taoyuan Pilots in Group A and Ryukyu Golden Kings in Group B.
The Final Four will be held in Macau from March 7-9.
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.
