WITH two imports and a naturalized player, Meralco could only line up nine locals in its first game in Season 2 of the East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away Tournament against the Macau Black Bears Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Not included in the Bolts’ roster against new team Macau Black Bears were Allein Maliksi, Raymar Jose, Alvin Pasaol, Norbert Torres, Kyle Pascual, Aaron Black, and rookie CJ Cansino.
Maliksi, Cansino, Black, and Torres are in the injury list and didn’t play in the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals series against Barangay Ginebra.
Allen Durham and DJ Kennedy served as Meralco’s two imports, Ange Kouame played as naturalized player, while the nine locals were comprised of Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, Cliff Hodge, Jolo Mendoza, Anjo Caram, Bong Quinto, Raymond Almazan, Jansen Rios, and Brandon Bates.
Coach Luigi Trillo said he hopes Maliksi and Cansino would be able to join the team in the coming legs of the tournament.
“I’m looking forward to Allein Maliksi coming back or CJ (Cansino) because we need floor spacers as well. So sana we’ll get healthy,” he said.
“I hope these guys can get healthy in time,” Trillo added. “We’d like to bring a healthy team. We know last year we weren’t complete. And youre playing against the best of Asia, so hopefully this time as the games get closer, makakabalik sila.”
The Bolts defeated the Black Bears, 97-85.
READ: Meralco Bolts open EASL campaign with blowout win over Macau
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