Hollis-Jefferson, Brownlee power Meralco up for EASL

MANILA, Philippines, September 12 ------ The Meralco Bolts powered up for the East Asia Super League by bringing together two of the most prolific imports in the PBA today in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee.

Hollis-Jefferson and Brownlee faced off in three highly charged finals in the PBA as reinforcements of TNT and Barangay Ginebra, respectively, but will join forces this time under the Bolts banner in the regional tournament kicking off next month. EASL rules allowing a pair of imports and one naturalized player and the PBA’s Season 50 calendar going with the Philippine Cup first cleared the way for the RHJ-JB dream teamup. Three-time PBA Best Import and champion Hollis Jefferson will take one of the import slots while six-time PBA titlist and Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Brownlee will fill in the naturalized player berth.

With the import-flavored PBA conference not in play until early next year, the Tropang 5G and the Gin Kings managements loaned their resident reinforcements to the Meralco, the lone Philippine bet in the home-and away league. Anf to further boost their chances of going all the way after falling a win short of reaching the EASL semifinals last season, the Bolts added Puerto Rican national team standout Ismael Romero into the fold.

The 6-foot-9 Romero suited up for the Magnificos Los Gallos in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, averaging 11.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. “As the lone team representing the Philippines this season, we’re going all in to make the Filipino basketball community proud,” the Bolts said in announcing the trio’s signing Thursday.

Meralco will be up against the Macau Black Bears, Japan B. League runnerup Ryukyu Golden Kings and Taiwan P. League champion Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in Group B action. The Bolts will launch their bid on October 22 against the Golden Kings in Okinawa.

Source: philstar.com