Three players out for Meralco Bolts’ EASL opener vs Ryukyu

Meralco Bolts coach Luigi Trillo. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco will have to make its East Asia Super League debut without three of its key cogs.

Allein Maliksi, Chris Banchero and Suleiman Braimoh did not fly with the Bolts a few days ago en route to their opening game against the Ryukyu Golden Kings at Okinawa Arena on Wednesday.

Maliksi and Banchero are nursing a nasal fracture and a hamstring injury, respectively. Import Braimoh, meanwhile, had problems securing a Japanese visa.

Despite this, though, coach Luigi Trillo assured that the Bolts would still put up a fight against Ryukyu with undermanned reinforcements.

“We’ll try to do our best, we’re not going to raise the white flag… It’s a chance for us to show also what we can do. Overall, it’s exciting to be in the EASL,” said Trillo.

Taking over the import spot for Meralco is Prince Ibeh, who is coming off an injury while having just a few training camps with the Bolts.

“He’s (Ibeh) going to be a bit testy for us in terms of not having an import who plays for us,” explained the top coach.

The Bolts will have to face a Golden Kings side that’s currently holding a 1-1 card. 

Other than Filipino import Carl Tamayo, Ryukyu will also have the talents of former PBA import Allen Durham, Vic Law, Alex Kirk, and Jack Cooley for Wednesday’s clash.

TNT, meanwhile, hopes to bounce back from their previous loss in the group phase when it squares up against the Taipei Fubon Braves at Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.

Coming off a 75-66 defeat at the hands of the Chiba Jets, Tropang Giga aim to even their record at 1-1, this time with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Hollis-Jefferson missed the EASL opener due to gastroenteritis.