There’s a slim chance that Meralco will barge into the EASL playoffs but to make it happen, the Bolts must repulse Ryukyu by six at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. A triple tie for first place in Group B will emerge if Meralco defeats the Golden Kings. If Ryukyu wins, Meralco is eliminated outright. Only two teams from three groups advance to the playoffs on March 18-22 in Macau.
“Our only chance to make it is to win at Araneta,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. At the moment, Ruukyu is 4-1. Taoyuan 4-2 and Meralco, 3-2. Point differentials will break a three-way logjam if Meralco beats Ryukyu. No more games are scheduled until the playoffs begin.
The Bolts will unveil rookie Jason Brickman against Ryukyu and are tapping NLEX import Cady Lalanne to replace Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Confirmed to play are Justin Brownlee, Ismael Romero and Asian import Sina Vahedi of Iran.
“Ryukyu likes to press from the start with point guard (Ryuichi) Kishimoto so we’ve got to be prepared,” said Trillo. “New (Chris Newsome) is still recovering from his MCL injury in the PBA semis. Jason will play a big role, he’s an experienced veteran so not exactly a rookie. Sina will also play a big role. We haven’t lost since he joined us. Romero is appealing for a second chance after what happened in Dubai. He has apologized and is remorseful. Throughout his career, something like that never happened until Dubai. Justin is ready and so are the rest of the guys like CJ (Cansino), Cliff (Hodge), CB (Chris Banchero), AB (Aaron Black), Brandon (Bates) and Bong (Quinto). Coach Nenad (Vucinic) calls the shots for us and this is our chance to make EASL history as the first PBA team to enter the playoffs.”