REIGNING PBA Philippine Cup champion Meralco will carry the country’s colors in the Basketball Champions League Asia.
Pro league chief Willie Marcial said the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have greenlighted the Bolts’ stint in the tilt set for June 9 to 15 at a country still to be announced.
Marcial held meetings with Meralco governor Atty. William Pamintuan and team manager Paolo Trillo. Marcial also talked to SBP executive director Erika Dy.
Representing the Philippines in international play is no longer new for the Luigi Trillo-mentored Bolts.
Meralco also saw action in the East Asia Super League Home and Away tournaments for two straight seasons.
The Bolts’ coming appearance in the joust formerly known as the FIBA Asia Champions League will mean revision on the remaining schedule of the eliminations of the import-less tourney so as not to hinder Meralco’s bid in the week-long battle.
That’s just fine, according to Marcial, who expressed gratitude to the Bolts for not thinking twice to heed the call.
The elims will run until June 15 and the playoffs are tentatively set to start on June 18.
“So, i-a-adjust namin iyong Philippine Cup schedule para dito,” Marcial said. “Kaya nagpapasalamat ang PBA at ang PBA board sa Meralco na magre-represent sa atin.”
Marcial added a Zoom meeting with all team managers was held last Monday to notify them about the impending change in schedule.
He also credited the other 11 teams that agreed to the change of schedule.
“Nag-meeting na si deputy commissioner Eric Castro with the team managers na i-a-adjust nga natin iyong schedule dahil nga sa Basketball Champions League,” he said. “Sumang-ayon naman silang lahat.
“Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Meralco dahil sila nga ang kakatawan sa PBA, at nagpapasalamat kami sa mga teams na naintindihan naman nila iyong sitwasyon.”
Meralco will also have the luxury of fielding two reinforcements for the BCL Asia.
The league opened shop in 1981 but the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed last year under the new name and set-up.
It’s a big and noble sacrifice on the part of the Bolts, who are also working hard to retain the crown on local soil.
