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Tag: East Asia Super League

  • Cebu City All-Stars bring first EASL Elite Future Championship home to Philippines 

    Cebu City All-Stars bring first EASL Elite Future Championship home to Philippines 

    The first-ever East Asia Super League (EASL) Elite Future Championship has found its first champion—and the trophy is headed to the Philippines.

     

    Representing the country, the Cebu City All-Stars etched their names in history after defeating Macau, 61-52, in the championship game of the inaugural 15-and-under tournament at Kai Tak Sports Hall in Hong Kong on Saturday.

     

    The victory capped a memorable run for the young Filipino squad, which not only conquered the competition but also became the first team to lift the newly introduced EASL Elite Future Championship trophy.

     

    Beyond the title, the triumph showcased the rapid chemistry the team developed in a short period of time, something that stood out to Cebu standout Derek Wenceslao.

     

    “I love these guys. We only had eight weeks of training and we built friendship and love. These guys are like my brothers already,” Derek Wenceslao said with pride, holding up the trophy. “We’re really happy to be here right now.”

     

    Cebu controlled much of the contest by relying on disciplined defense and balanced offense, entering the fourth quarter with a comfortable 49-42 cushion.

     

    Macau, however, refused to fold.

     

    The hosts opened the final period with a spirited 9-4 run that sliced the deficit to just two points, 53-51, threatening to erase Cebu’s hard-earned advantage.

     

    With momentum beginning to swing, Kent Labitad delivered the game’s biggest shot.

     

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    The tournament MVP calmly buried a three-pointer with 2:50 remaining, restoring a five-point cushion and allowing Cebu to regain complete control before closing out the historic victory.

     

    Labitad finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists to earn Most Valuable Player honors, while Venz Nadela dominated inside with a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds.

     

    The pair’s stellar tournament performances also earned them spots on the Mythical Five.

    Their reward did not end there.

     

    Labitad and Nadela, together with fellow Cebuanos Dwayne Rojo, Derek Wenceslao, and McDome De Asis, will travel to Okinawa next month for a training program with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, providing another opportunity to further develop their games on the international stage.

     

    For Cebu’s young stars, winning the inaugural championship was only the beginning. With international exposure already waiting, the historic title could serve as the launching pad for the next generation of Philippine basketball talent.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee open to Meralco return after bittersweet EASL stint

    Justin Brownlee open to Meralco return after bittersweet EASL stint

    Justin Brownlee’s short stint in orange and blue may have ended quietly, but the door remains wide open.

     

    Meralco’s East Asia Super League campaign closed with an 88-79 loss to the Ryukyu Golden Kings at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, marking another near-miss in the Bolts’ third straight attempt to crack the postseason. Yet even before the sting of elimination could settle, Brownlee made one thing clear — he is willing to run it back.

     

    “Hopefully I get the chance to come here again,” Brownlee said.

     

    “One hundred percent,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo quickly added when asked about the possibility of another tour of duty.

     

    For Brownlee, the campaign was a case of what could have been.

     

    Expectations were sky-high when Meralco announced the blockbuster signings of Brownlee and longtime PBA rival Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. On paper, the Bolts suddenly looked like legitimate contenders in the home-and-away tournament.

     

    Reality unfolded differently.

     

    Brownlee fell ill and missed the first four games, forcing Meralco to navigate the early stretch without one of its cornerstones. Asian import Sina Vahedi also arrived late, only suiting up in the third game. By then, the Bolts were already digging out of an 0-2 hole.

     

    When Brownlee finally debuted in early December, the potential flashed immediately. He joined forces with Hollis-Jefferson, Vahedi, and Ismael Romero in a thrilling 93-91 win over the Macau Black Bears — a glimpse of what the fully assembled squad might have achieved.

     

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    But momentum proved fragile.

     

    Hollis-Jefferson suffered an ACL injury in that very game, abruptly ending his season. Brownlee did not hide his disappointment.

     

    “Rondae is an absolutely very special player. Just like myself and the rest of the guys, we would love for him to be here. You can see the rhythm he had with the team will only get better,” he said.

    Cady Lalanne was brought in on short notice, blending as best he could alongside Brownlee and Romero. The effort was there, but chemistry takes time — something Meralco did not have.

     

    By the end of the campaign, the Bolts finished 3-3 — their best record in EASL play and the strongest showing by any PBA team in the tournament’s history. Still, it wasn’t enough to reach the next stage.

     

    Brownlee’s own numbers reflected both impact and limitation: averages of 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block in just two games. In the finale, he tallied 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists but shot 3-of-13 from the field.

     

    “I personally think I didn’t play too well (tonight),” he admitted. “But I hope I get another opportunity.”

     

    At 37, Brownlee remains one of the region’s most dependable imports, a player whose presence alone reshapes expectations. His willingness to return — pending Barangay Ginebra’s consent — signals unfinished business more than farewell.

     

    “I really enjoyed the EASL and I definitely would go and play for Meralco,” he said.

    For a team that came closer than ever yet still fell short, that possibility might be the most promising development of all.

     

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  • Jason Brickman joins Meralco: Luigi Trillo hails new “Asian John Stockton”

    Jason Brickman joins Meralco: Luigi Trillo hails new “Asian John Stockton”

    Patience has paid off for Meralco—and for Jason Brickman.

     

    Five months after being selected seventh overall in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft, Brickman has officially inked a contract with the Bolts, finally allowing the six-foot point guard to focus solely on his PBA career. 

     

    His commitment had been delayed due to his ongoing contract with the Abra Weavers in the MPBL, where he played a pivotal role in their sweep of the Quezon Huskers during last year’s Finals.

     

    Coach Luigi Trillo couldn’t hide his excitement. “He’s like the Asian John Stockton if you think about it,” Trillo said via phone interview with the Inquirer. “He knows where to make his passes. I’m really happy that he signed.” 

     

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    Trillo admitted that there were initial doubts about selecting Brickman at seventh in the draft. But watching him orchestrate the Abra Weavers’ offense changed that perspective. “We took the risk of selecting him at seven… He’s a top player and an experienced player,” Trillo added.

     

    Brickman made his Meralco debut on February 11 in a high-stakes matchup against the Ryuku Golden Kings in the East Asia Super League (EASL). 

     

    Though he didn’t score in his seven minutes on the court, his presence as a floor general adds depth and poise to Meralco’s backcourt—a skill set Trillo believes could be a game-changer in the PBA.

     

    With Brickman now fully on board, Meralco is banking on his vision, leadership, and championship experience to lift the team in the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup, proving that sometimes, patience and calculated risk-taking can set the foundation for long-term success.

     

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  • Meralco eyes historic spot as first PBA team in EASL Final Four

    Meralco eyes historic spot as first PBA team in EASL Final Four

    For the Meralco Bolts, Wednesday’s clash against the Ryukyu Golden Kings isn’t just another game—it’s a chance to make history. A victory by at least six points would punch the Bolts’ ticket to the EASL Final Four, a feat no Philippine Basketball Association team has ever achieved.

     

    The stakes couldn’t be higher. Ryukyu sits atop Group B on a four-game winning streak, already securing a top-two finish if they keep the margin tight. For Meralco, it’s simple: win by six points or more, and the Bolts etch their name in EASL history.

     

    The Bolts head into the finale with a mix of challenges and reinforcements. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Meralco’s top scorer at 22.2 points per game, is sidelined for the season with an achilles tear. Chris Newsome’s availability is uncertain as he battles a knee injury.

     

    Yet Meralco has bolstered its lineup with Jason Brickman and Cady Lalanne. Brickman, drafted by the Bolts and recently a champion with their MPBL affiliate, provides stability and playmaking, while Lalanne offers size and experience down low. Key holdovers, including Ismael Romero—EASL’s November Player of the Month—and veteran import Justin Brownlee, give Meralco the firepower and leadership needed in a do-or-die scenario.

     

    “The chemistry is still building, but with this talent, we know we can be dangerous,” a team insider said.

     

    The Golden Kings approach the showdown with a proven core. Ryuichi Kishimoto sets the pace, while Alex Kirk and Jack Cooley dominate the paint. Ryukyu also benefits from the stabilizing presence of Damyean Dotson, who has found his footing in recent wins. Despite their dominance in the all-time series (5–1), Ryukyu must contend with Meralco’s revamped lineup and the unpredictability it brings.

     

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    The EASL’s tiebreaker system adds a layer of drama. If Meralco wins by six points, the Bolts’ point differential in games among the tied teams moves from –10 to –4, overtaking Ryukyu’s –5 and securing a spot in the Final Four. Any smaller margin, and the Golden Kings advance.

     

    For Ryukyu, a win seals the No. 1 seed in Group B, while a narrow loss under six points still guarantees the No. 2 spot. The math is clear, but the pressure of a single game, amplified by history and circumstance, makes this more than a numbers exercise—it’s a test of resilience, poise, and execution.

     

    As the Bolts prepare for the Smart Araneta Coliseum tipoff, every possession, defensive rotation, and clutch shot will carry monumental weight. Can Meralco overcome injuries, integrate new teammates, and seize an unprecedented milestone? Or will Ryukyu’s consistent core close out the regular season on top?

     

    When the buzzer sounds, one team will have written a new chapter in EASL history—and Meralco has its sights set firmly on being that team.

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  • Meralco goes all in for EASL playoff spot

    Meralco goes all in for EASL playoff spot

    For Meralco, the math is simple but unforgiving: win big or go home.

     

    With a historic East Asia Super League playoff berth hanging in the balance, the Bolts are emptying the playbook and refreshing the roster for a do-or-die clash against the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—the final day of the EASL Home and Away Season 3 group stage.

     

    At the center of Meralco’s gamble is rookie Jason Brickman. The Bolts are turning to their Season 50 first-round pick in the biggest game of their EASL campaign, trusting the newcomer to steady the ship in a matchup where there is no margin for error. Brickman joins import Cady Lalanne, brought in to replace the injured Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, as part of a short-term reinforcement move designed solely for this playoff push.

     

    Brickman and Lalanne are on loan from NLEX, and they’ll be thrown straight into a veteran-heavy lineup that includes Justin Brownlee, Ismael Romero, Sina Vahedi, CJ Cansino, Chris Banchero, Cliff Hodge, Aaron Black, Brandon Bates, Bong Quinto, and Raymond Almazan. The Bolts are also hoping to get a timely lift from Chris Newsome, who is working his way back from an MCL injury that sidelined him late in the Philippine Cup semifinals.

     

    “He will try on Monday to practice for the first time with contacts,” said Luigi Trillo, who has handed coaching duties to Nenad Vucinic for Meralco’s EASL run.

     

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    Momentum, at least, is on Meralco’s side. The Bolts enter the finale riding a three-game winning streak, highlighted by a dramatic 93-91 escape against the Macau Black Bears last December in Ilagan. That surge lifted them to a 3-2 record, good for third place in Group B behind Ryukyu (4-1) and Taoyuan (4-2).

     

    But the Golden Kings remain a towering obstacle. Ryukyu has won four straight games and already owns an 81-72 victory over Meralco from their earlier meeting in Okinawa.

     

    For the Bolts, simply winning won’t be enough. They need to beat Ryukyu by at least six points to stay alive. A margin of five or fewer sends them packing. A blowout of 20 points or more, however, would flip the script entirely—vaulting Meralco to the top seed in Group B and forcing Ryukyu and Taoyuan into a quotient battle for the remaining quarterfinal spot.

     

    Anything less, including a loss, would mark another painful near-miss in Meralco’s long pursuit of an EASL breakthrough. On Wednesday night, the Bolts won’t just be playing an opponent—they’ll be playing the numbers, the moment, and the weight of history.

     

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