IF Akil Mitchell misses time due to a broken nose he sustained last Sunday, Meralco will not be lacking in options.
The Bolts already have two potential replacements in their own backyard if Mitchell's injury forced him to sit out, with DJ Kennedy and Ange Kouame ready and available as part of the Bolts' campaign in the East Asia Super League.
Mitchell missed all but 11 seconds of Meralco’s 121-111 win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup over Rain or Shine after his nose was hit accidentally by Elasto Painters big man Keith Datu while taking a lay-up.
READ Meralco outlasts Rain or Shine in battle of import-less teams
“They are both ready. I think DJ is a nice guy to have also. He’s played overseas. He knows the game. He is a different dimension,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
The 35-year-old Kennedy, a former teammate of Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, is currently averaging 20.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for the Bolts in the EASL. The 6-foot-6 Kennedy has vast experience internationally having previously played in China, Turkey, Australia, Israel, and Ukraine.
Kouame could also be in line to be Meralco’s import in the PBA, if the Bolts choose so. The 26-year-old Filipino-Ivorian is eligible to play in the Commissioner’s Cup after the league scrapped the height limit for this conference.
The 6-foot-11 Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player is averaging 7.0 points and 6.7 rebounds for Meralco in the EASL.
“Puwede si Ange. Either one. The good thing is pasalamat kami na we have two players [available],” Trillo said.
It can't be denied, however, that it will be difficult to replace Mitchell, even albeit temporarily, based on his current performance and how much he has provided for Meralco.
Mitchell has so far been impressive with the Bolts, tallying 27 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and six steals in his first game with Meralco against Phoenix.
The 32-year-old also started his EASL stint with 33 points and 22 rebounds against Busan KCC Egis last November 13.
Trillo thinks Mitchell, the fighter that he is, is capable of playing for the Bolts even with the broken nose.
“Akil will play with one leg. Even if he has a mask, he’ll still play,” said Trillo.
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