By REYNALD MAGALLON
The Meralco is set to represent the PBA for a third straight season in the East Asia Super League.
The league made the announcement on Monday, Aug. 4 although unlike in the previous seasons where the country is represented by two PBA teams, the Bolts will be the lone team to carry the flag in the international league.
Meralco is placed in Group B where it is pooled with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of Taiwan Ryukyu Golden Kings of Japan and the Macau Black Bears.
The Bolts participation the season marked its third year in the EASL– a feat which it now shares with other teams like Japan’s Golden Kings and Chinese Taipei’s New Taipei Kings.
Meralco, however, has yet to reach the Final Four of the tournament – a mission it hopes to carry out this time around.
The Bolts made their debut in the EASL back in 2023 where they ended with a 1-5 record. They made some improvements last season when they wound up with a 2-4 slate although still not enough to reach the playoffs.
With its participation, Meralco is expected to once again juggle its time playing both in the PBA and the EASL. The Bolts will be making their debut for the EASL 2025-26 season on the road against Ryukyu on Oct. 22.
It will take on Taoyuan on the road once more on Nov. 2 before finally playing at home back-to-back against the Pilots and the Black Bears on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 respectively.
