MERALCO coach Luigi Trillo had rave reviews of DJ Kennedy after his all-around play on Wednesday in the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL).
Kennedy had 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in being one of the key players in the Bolts’ 97-85 win over Macau Black Bears in their season opener.
Kennedy came in as Meralco’s second import to join Allen Durham, the Bolts’ reinforcement in the PBA Governors’ Cup that recently ended.
So far, Trillo said he likes what he sees in Kennedy, and thinks that he has the similar skillset as Justin Brownlee and Chris Newsome.
“But ang maganda kay DJ, he is a little bit like Brownlee in a sense. He plays a little bit like New where he makes the right decisions all the time, he plays on both ends of the floor. DJ, you can put him 1 to 4 just like New. So there’s points of attack,” said Trillo.
Incidentally, the 6-foot-6 Kennedy is a former teammate of Brownlee during their time with St. John’s University in the NCAA Division I from 2009 to 2011.
READ: DJ Kennedy happy to see St. John's teammate Justin Brownlee flourish in PH
Trillo said the 34-year-old Kennedy will still play a lot better in the coming games after his poor shooting against the Black Bears, while also committing a team-high five turnovers.
“He struggled tonight. We were up 19, we would have kept on and focus and build the lead, but he wasn’t there. He didn’t shoot the ball well. He was 6-of-24, 0-of-6 from threes so he is not at his best,” said Trillo.
Trillo added Kennedy’s entry with the Bolts is part of the team’s desire to show a better performance this season after going 1-5 last season where their only win is against former Japan B.League champion Ryukyu Golden Kings last December.
“If I may, this year, we are better because we know a little bit of the EASL already. We played Ryukyu (Japan B.League team last season), and DJ coming in early,” said Trillo.
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