By REYNALD MAGALLON
Meralco suffered from power outage in the endgame and succumbed to Ryukyu Golden Kings, 81-72, in its opening game in the East Asia Super League at the Okinawa Suntory Arena in Japan on Wednesday, Oct. 22
The Bolts, after keeping in step in the first three and a half quarters, seemingly lost steam and failed to convert in the last two minutes, allowing the home team to pull away with the win.
The loss spoiled a stellar Meralco debut for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who fired 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The other import, Ismael Romero, had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Chris Newsome chipped in 12 but his last triple that pulled Meralco within two, 72-74, with 2:19 left proved to be the Bolts’ last stand as the Golden Kings went on a telling 7-0 spurt to close out the game.
Ryuichi Kishimoto was the biggest thorn to the side of the Filipinos, firing 22 points – built on five triples. Alex Kirk had 17 points and 17 rebounds while Ryo Sahodara chipped in 16.
Meralco played without its other import Justin Brownlee although he is expected to finally join the team when the Bolts try to bounce back when they collide against the undefeated Taoyuan Pilots late in November.
