ANGE Kouame and Sina Vahedi make their EASL Season 3 debut for Meralco in their rematch with Taoyuan Saturday in Ilagan, Isabela.
Both players were included in the 11-man lineup the team submitted during the managers’ meeting on Friday night, making them eligible to play in the Bolts’ first home game this season under the league’s home and away format.
The match set at 6:10 p.m. at the Capital Arena is a go despite the threat of typhoon Uwan slamming Northern and Central Luzon by Sunday, as forecasted by the Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
“Still on track. Everything’s good to go,” said Tyler Schiff, marketing and communications coordinator of the EASL, but added the league is also taking precautionary measures for the safety of both teams and the people involved.
Kouame and Vahedi coming on board is like a breath of fresh air for Meralco, which has yet to enter the win column after back-to-back losses on the road against Ryukyu Golden Kings in Okinawa, Japan, and the Pilots just last week in Taipei.
Coach Luigi Trillo, however, admitted Vahedi and Kouame are not 100-percent in game shape after just practicing for the Bolts just twice prior to their departure for Isabela.
The 6-foot-11 Kouame rejoins the team as replacement for fellow naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who remains in the U.S. after being afflicted with pneumonia.
READ: Brownlee in doubt for Gilas just weeks before World Cup qualifier
The former UAAP MVP from Ateneo already suited up for Meralco in Season 2 of the EASL.
Bolts with band-aids
The Bolts however, will continue missing the services of top scorer CJ Cansino, still out with a sprained ankle, along with big man Brandon Bates, who is out with a flu. Also out and injured is veteran Allein Maliksi.
That leaves Meralco making do with imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ismael Romero, Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, Chris Banchero, Cliff Hodge, Raymond Almazan, Anjo Caram, and Bong Quinto.
“CB (Chris Banchero) and Cliff (Hodge) have injuries, but will play,” added Trillo.
The Pilots, who lord over Group B with a perfect 2-0 slate, will be playing outside of Taipei for the first time and will be bannered by imports Alec Brown and William Artino.
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