MANILA — The long-awaited dream pairing of Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will finally hit the court as the Meralco Bolts launch a bold quest for the East Asia Super League (EASL) crown — with team officials vowing to win it all for the Philippines.
It will be the first time the two versatile forwards team up in an international tournament, and Meralco believes their chemistry, size, and experience can carry the Bolts all the way.
“We want to win the EASL for the country and for the PBA,” declared league representative Billy Pamintuan. “We are leaving no stones unturned, make no mistake about it.”
The Bolts also bolstered their lineup with 6-foot-10 Puerto Rican center Ismael Romero, who arrives on September 22, while final talks are ongoing for an Asian import guard. Romero will reinforce Brownlee, Hollis-Jefferson, and naturalized big man Ange Kouame, along with locals Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, and Cliff Hodge.
Tournament rules allow two imports, two naturalized players, and one Asian import — giving Meralco the firepower to finally break through after last season’s gut-wrenching double-overtime loss to Jeremy Lin and Chinese Taipei.
Beyond the $1 million champion’s purse, the Bolts are driven by the chance to showcase the historic Brownlee–Hollis-Jefferson duo before Filipino fans when the EASL brings games to Manila.
“It’s going to be very exciting,” Pamintuan said. “And from the reports I have heard, Romero is so good.”/PN
