September 12, 2025 | 12:00am
LAS VEGAS – Meralco will fly the PBA flag in its third consecutive EASL look and the Bolts are decided to win all of it after failing to advance to the Ultimate 4 the final two seasons. PBA chairman Ricky Vargas mentioned the league will again up Meralco’s bid all the best way to the throne as a spotlight aim in its Golden Anniversary.
EASL has reconfigured its schedule this season to develop from eight groups and 28 video games in 2023-24 to 10 groups and 34 video games final marketing campaign and now to 12 groups and 42 video games. PBA was represented by Meralco and TNT in EASL’s inaugural home-and-away season then by Meralco and San Miguel Beer. The Bolts gained one sport in 2023-24 and two final season, falling a win in need of crashing the Ultimate 4 after dropping a double OT resolution to New Taipei within the remaining contest of the group stage.
PBA can be represented solely by Meralco, the 2024 Philippine Cup champion, in EASL this season the place the 12 contenders are coming from seven territories – three from Japan, three from Chinese language-Taipei, two from South Korea and one every from Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia and the Philippines – cut up into three teams of 4. The Bolts are bracketed with the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, Ryukyu Golden Kings and Macau Black Bears. The highest two groups from every group will advance to the Spherical of Six. One of the best two finishers will battle within the remaining for a $1 million prize.
Meralco will play six video games, three dwelling and three away, within the group stage. The Bolts will open their marketing campaign towards Ryukyu in Okinawa on Oct. 22 then journey to Taipei to face Taoyuan on Nov. 2. Meralco will host Taoyuan on Nov. 8 and Macau on Nov. 15 then meet the Black Bears in Macau on Dec. 6 and battle Ryukyu at dwelling on Feb. 11. Venue for Meralco’s dwelling video games is now being finalized with the potential of taking part in on the Bren Guiao Sports activities Advanced in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Meralco’s PBA Board Governor Atty. Invoice Pamintuan mentioned “we’re committing to convey extra pleasure, pleasure and honor to Philippine basketball in our EASL marketing campaign and this coming Philippine Cup.” Pamintuan mentioned the Bolts can be bannered by naturalized participant Justin Brownlee, world imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ismael Romero and an Asian import whose identification can be disclosed as soon as his visa is issued. Rookie draft decide Jason Brickman is predicted to play an important position in boosting the Bolts’ energy surge.
The PBA Board’s assist is obvious in Ginebra permitting Brownlee and TNT lending import Hollis-Jefferson to play for Meralco. Romero, 34, was a naturalized participant on the Puerto Rican nationwide squad that noticed motion on the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics. He defected from Cuba in 2012 and sought political asylum in Puerto Rico. The 6-9 middle has performed as an import in Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina, South Korea, Spain, Israel and Libya.