Meralco faces tough PBA stretch in runup to Champions League Asia

WHILE in the middle of its PBA Philippine Cup title-retention drive, Meralco is plotting its buildup for next month’s Basketball Champions League Asia.

“It’s exciting anytime you get to go out the country, play international basketball and represent the Philippines,” Meralco star Chris Newsome said of the Bolts’ stint against fellow Asian club champions in the June 9-15 competition.

“It’s an honor and for us to be able to have that chance to represent the PBA and the Philippines, it’s something that I would always suit up for, whether that’s in a Meralco jersey or a Gilas jersey,” he added.

Having accepted the responsibility of flying the flag, the Bolts will still need to navigate a killer domestic schedule.

The reigning All-Filipino kingpins (3-4) will play Magnolia, Blackwater, NLEX and Ginebra in the next 12 days before shifting focus to the BCL Asia, to be held in a yet-to-be-named venue in the Middle East.

The Bolts are currently recruiting three imports to join the crew led by Gilas mainstay Newsome.

The squad also received good news as Fil-foreign stalwarts Cliff Hodge and Chris Banchero have been cleared by FIBA to suit up as locals owing to their 10 years or more tenure in the PBA.

“We’re excited but we just have to pivot because that’s the middle of the (PBA) playoffs,” said coach Luigi Trillo, whose team will run straight into the PBA quarterfinals after wrapping up their campaign in the BCL Asia.

“It’s a great exposure for us and we want to do our best. We’re going to get good quality imports to complement our guys. All focus now will be on this (PBA Philippine Cup), but once June 1 hits, we will be focusing on Champions League,” he added.

Meralco will be up against the champions of China, Japan and South Korea, the champion and runner-up of the FIBA West Asia Super League and the top two teams from the BCL Asia-East Qualifiers. — Olmin Leyba