Meralco imports Zach Lofton.–PBA IMAGES
MACAU – Bolstered by a high-scoring import and a complete squad, Meralco is brimming with confidence going into its rematch against the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the home-and-away season of the EASL (East Asia Super League) on Wednesday evening.
With Allein Maliksi and Chris Banchero back in the fold and Zach Lofton now comfortably playing within coach Luigi Trillo’s system, the Bolts look forward to giving the defending B. League champions a good run for their money in the meeting to 7pm in Studio City here.
Meralco failed to sustain a good start, losing 89-61 in its first meeting with Ryukyu in Okinawa, Japan, three weeks ago, where the team paraded just one import in Prince Ibeh.
But the team is currently on a high as it wins three matches in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, culminating in a 125-99 loss to Northport on the eve of the team’s departure to Macau, in which Lofton exploded for 54 points.
“He got 54 [tonight] and I think it’s a good thing for him because we have a game on Wednesday. So we will fly to Macau and we will face Ryukyu,” Trillo said. “First game with Prince (Ibeh), we played with one import. Now we have at least two. And we are happy with this.”
Ryukyu currently occupies second place in Group B with a 2-1 record behind the undefeated New Taipei Kings (2-0).
Meralco is in the basement with an 0-2 slate, while Seoul is barely ahead of SK Knights in third place at 1-2.
But the Bolts are enjoying their chances against the Kings this time, especially since they are playing with the advantage of a complete roster.
“We need him, he is one of our regulars,” said Trillo of Maliksi, who has just recovered from a three-week nasal fracture. “Having him, having CB (Chris Banchero) and having a more complete team is good for us.
“We still have something to improve on, but overall we are within reasonable distance of the Top 2.”
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Lofton and Banchero drew in Meralco’s last match against Jeremy Lin and the New Taipei Kings, but lost a close match, 97-92.
