Akil Mitchell shows potential for perfect Meralco Bolts fit

Akil Mitchell brings a king of toughness Meralco needs for a tournament that will feature big imports. —MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Akil Mitchell validated Meralco’s optimism over his arrival with an impressive performance in the East Asia Super League (EASL) that could bode well for the Bolts in the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“We just have to be tough [for the Commissioner’s Cup], and I think that’s what Akil brings,” coach Luigi Trillo said after Mitchell produced 33 points and 22 rebounds in the Bolts’ 81-80 comeback win over the Busan KCC Egis on Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The 32-year-old was key on both ends of the floor, particularly on defense, which allowed Meralco to steal one from the Korean Basketball League side and go 2-1 in Group B of the regional competition.

Mitchell came in after Meralco’s longtime import Allen Durham played his last game a few weeks ago against his former B.League club Ryukyu Golden Kings in the same international competition.

It was Mitchell who sank the marginal free throw with six seconds left as the Bolts overcame an 11-point deficit. Bong Quinto also knocked down a game-tying triple a couple of possessions prior to Mitchell’s eventual winner.

“It just shows the character of the guys that we can come back,” said Mitchell, listed at 6-foot-9. “In my first week here, [I] kind of [saw] the type of team that we have, and I’m impressed as well.”

He did that in front of Ricardo Ratliffe, who not only watched his former Korean club but also to size up one of his opponents for the midseason after inking up for a return tour of duty with Magnolia.

Ratliffe hasn’t been in the PBA since his two-year stint with the Hotshots in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Commissioner’s Cup.

NLEX, on the other hand, is not just going for size but also for experience in its choice for a reinforcement.

Road Warriors coach Jong Uichico expressed confidence that former NBA player Ed Davis can provide the needed presence in the middle.

“Hopefully his experience would spread to the team in terms of maturity and basketball IQ,” Uichico told the Inquirer during the recent Governors’ Cup Finals, where he served as a television analyst in one of the games.