'MERALCO killer' Justin Brownlee going to bed with the Bolts?
Unthinkable a couple of years ago, but with a chance to happen in the coming months as the Meralco Bolts compete for the third straight season in the East Asia Super League (EASL) this October.
SPIN.ph sources confirmed Brownlee, who dealt the Bolts a number of heartbreaking losses in the PBA playoffs, will be made available by San Miguel Corp. officials in case the Bolts put in the request.
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Insiders bared it was no less than SMC sports director and Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua who made the offer to the Bolts.
Meralco is the lone Philippine team in the coming season of the EASL that tips off on October 8. The Bolts are slotted in Group B with the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of Taiwan, Ryukyu Golden Kings of the Japan B.League, and the Macau Black Bears.
The Bolts will open their campaign on October 22 at Ryukyu before hosting Taoyuan on November 8.
EASL rules allow teams to field two imports and a naturalized player. The Bolts fielded Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Ange Kouame last season, but they can tap Brownlee for that spot if they so desire.
But before fans get too excited, Brownlee, who is coming off a stint with Gilas in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, will have to say yes for the Bolts guest stint to happen, insiders bared.
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In terms of availability, however, there is little obstacle to the arrangement. Brownlee won't be committed to Ginebra at that time since the PBA opens its 50th season in October with the all-Filipino Philippine Cup.
Brownlee's only scheduled stint during that stretch would be with Gilas, which will play a home-and-away series with Guam on November 28 and December 1 to start its campaign in the Fiba World Cup qualifiers.
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