Meralco’s Newsome, Hodge fail to get clearance for Fiba Champions Cup

Meralco’s bid in the Fiba Champions Cup is off to a rocky start after Filipino-American swingmen Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge were not allowed to be part of the team that will compete in the Thai province of Nonthaburi.

The exclusion of Newsome and Hodge meant that Fiba didn’t allow the two to play as Filipino locals for the Bolts who already didn’t have injured veterans Ranidel de Ocampo and Jared Dillinger.

The 7-foot-1 Liam McMorrow, who was supposed to be Allen Durham’s import partner, wasn’t also part of the team’s roster instead the Bolts had 6-foot-10 Diamond Stone.

As of posting, the Bolts are playing against host Mono Vampire at Nonthaburi Province Stadium for their Group B match.

The top two teams from the two groups will automatically move to the semifinals.