Waiting for Vahedi, Brickman

Beirut-based player agency PSB Sports has announced the signing of Iranian point guard Sina Vahedi to play for Meralco in EASL this season but the Bolts are still not sure when the 6-3 FIBA Asia first team pick can fly to Manila with a multiple entry visa.

It’s a wait-ing game for Meralco. Vahedi, 24, is good to go. The problem is the Philippine embassy in Tehran can’t seem to decide whether or not to issue Vahedi a multiple entry visa, a necessity since the Bolts will play three games at home and three more on the road during the EASL regular season. Without a multiple entry visa, it’ll be difficult for Vahedi to play away games and re-enter the Philippines. He can stay in the country for three home outings without exiting on a single entry visa but that’s not what Meralco has in mind.

“We’re still waiting for the Philippine consulate in Iran to issue his multiple entry visa,” said Meralco PBA governor Atty. Bill Pamintuan. “Not really sure if he can join us for our first EASL game against Ryukyu in Okinawa on Oct. 22.” Pamintuan is seeking assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the issuance of a multiple entry visa.

Another player whom Meralco is waiting for is Jason Brickman whom the Bolts picked on the first round in the PBA draft last month. Brickman, 33, is a point guard like Vahedi and twice led the US NCAA D1 in assists with Long Island University. He’s playing for Abra in MPBL at the moment. Brickman will join Meralco after he finishes his MPBL obligations. “Brickman’s still under contract to play with Abra and couldn’t get a release,” confirmed  Pamintuan. Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo said Brickman won’t be available until the end of Abra’s MPBL campaign. Once Brickman is released, he’ll move directly to Meralco’s camp for both PBA and EASL.

Without Vahedi and Brickman, the Bolts will rely on world imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ismael Romero plus naturalized player Justin Brownlee for EASL where each team is allowed to enlist two world imports, a naturalized player and an Asian heritage import. EASL limits a team to play 12 players so the Bolts will surround RHJ, JB and Romero with nine locals while waiting for Vahedi.

In EASL, Meralco plays its second game against Taoyuan in Taipei on Nov. 2 then hosts the Pilots on Nov. 8 and Macau on Nov. 15. The Bolts take on the Black Bears in Macau on Dec. 6 and face the Golden Kings at home on Feb. 11. Venue for Meralco’s home games will be the Bren Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando, Pampanga and Ilagan Sports Complex in Isabela.