A berth in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals already in the bag, Meralco now focuses on its coming campaign in the Basketball Champions League Asia that kicks off over the weekend in Dubai.
Coach Luigi Trillo said the Bolts are likely to bring in three imports to help reinforce the team in the June 7-13 meet formerly known as the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
And it's not going to be a picnic.
"It's going to be very hard there. We'll have three new imports, and they don't know what we're running," said the Meralco mentor.
"But again, it's an honor and challenge for us to represent the Philippines and the PBA."
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The Bolts, who represented the PBA and the flag and country in the past two seasons of the East Asia Super League, clinched a playoffs berth last week with a grinding 82-73 win against the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
They finished their elimination round campaing on a three game winning streak for a 6-5 record.
Meralco has yet to announce the three imports suiting up for the team pending its departure for the meet on June 5.
FIBA recently held the groupings for the tournament, with the Bolts ending up in Group B along with Japan B. League champion Utsunomiya Brez and last year's BCL Asia runner-up Shabab Al Ahli.
In Group A are FIBA West Asia Super League runner up Tabiat Basketball of Iran, the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association, and Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos of Mongolia.
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Meanwhile, reigning BCL Asia champion Al Riyadi leads Group C, together with Changwon LG Sakers of the Korean Basketball League, and the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of the P.League+. (RG)
