IT’S not only Justin Brownlee that Meralco will be missing when it kicks off its campaign in the EASL Home and Away Season 3.
The Bolts are likewise without Asian import Mohammad Sina Vahedi of Iran when it plays league rival Ryukyu Golden Kings at the Okinawa Suntory Arena in Japan.
SPIN.ph learned the team is still working on the papers of the highly-touted 6-foot-1 guard and member of the Iranian national team.
SOURCES SAY Uncertainty over Brownlee as Meralco leaves for EASL
But the 24-year-old Vahedi is already with the team, according to a source.
Along with Vahedi, the 37-year-old Brownlee, who is Meralco’s naturalized player, will likewise not be around in the 7 p.m. (Manila time) clash with the Golden Kings, who are bracketed with the Bolts in Group B along with the Taoyuan Pilots and the Macau Black Bears.
Brownlee has yet to return to the Philippines to join the Bolts in practice until they left for Okinawa last Monday.
In their absence, imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ismael Romero are expected to carry most of the load for Meralco.
Still, coach Luigi Trillo remains positive with the team’s chances against the former Japan B.League champions considering the Bolts are on a three-game winning streak in the PBA Philippine Cup prior to their departure for Japan.
“This is a testament to the team’s character,” said Trillo after Meralco romped past Blackwater, Barangay Ginebra, and Magnolia in a tough five-day stretch.
“And it would be nice to get one more win as we move to Okinawa.”
Joining Hollis-Jefferson and Romero are locals Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Chris Banchero, Aaron Black, Bong Quinto, Allein Maliksi, Kyle Pascual, Raymond Almazan, Brandon Bates, and CJ Cansino.
The Golden Kings lost their opening game against the Pilots, 80-94, but holds a 3-1 record against the Bolts in their EASL head-to-head matchup with the Bolts.
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