MERALCO continues to be hounded by import woes as it now plans to bring in Shonn Miller as replacement for the injured Zach Lofton in the EASL (East Asia Super League).
Coach Luigi Trillo said Miller is likely to be the team’s second import in its final game in the continental showpiece in tandem with Prince Ibeh.
Bolts mull new import
At the same time, he’s not discounting the possibility of bringing in another import if only to allow Miller to focus on the Bolts’ campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“Shonn is in the PBA, but I think right now we might also bring Shonn to the EASL,” said Trillo, adding the 31-year-old streak-shooting Lofton has already left the country after hurting his wrist in a game against the Seoul SK Knights.
Options still open
“We have to decide with the coaching staff on that kasi it’s day to day right now. (Right now) I think its Prince and Shonn. But options are open there.”
Lofton is the second Meralco import to be injured in the ongoing season. Earlier, Su Braemoh went down with a torn Achilles, prompting the Bolts to bring in Lofton.
Braemoh, who remains in the country as he continues to rehabilitate from the injury, however, failed to suit up for the team in the EASL owing to issue with his working visa.
Lofton was brought in as the other Meralco import in the home-and-away league, but with the injury to Braemoh, the Bolts were forced to tap him as well for their PBA campaign.
“I haven’t spoken to coach Nenad [Vucinic]. If you notice in the EASL it’s more coach Nenad who’s handling it,” said Trillo. “Options are open that we might get somebody else at this point. It’s not written in stone.
“But if there’s opportunities to get somebody else, then it’s open.”
Even if it meant playing for just one game in the Bolts’ final outing against the Seoul SK Knights on Feb. 7 at the Jamsil Student’s gymnasium.
Meralco is currently at the bottom of Group B with a 1-4 record, but remains within reach of second-running Ryukyu Golden Kings and the Knights, who are tied at 2-2 apiece.
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