Meralco defeated the Busan KCC Egis in an East Asia Super League (EASL) last 13 November in a nail-biting 81-80 score. The game also gave the Bolts an advantage for the Bolts heading into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on 27 November.
"The one thing that teams suffer from is that they normally get imports the last week before a new conference starts. The EASL has allowed us to take a look at guys who can be imports in the PBA," head coach Luigi Trillo told the Inquirer on the eve of the homestand that tips at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Meralco did just that when they unveiled Akil Mitchell, a Panamanian standout who is also set to serve as the Bolts’ import in the next PBA conference. He scored 33 points and grabbed 22 monstrous rebounds in that game.
Trillo said that Mitchell can play defense as well as Su Braimoh, Meralco’s import who steered the Bolts to a 4-1 record in the last Commissioner’s Cup before going down with an achilles injury.
"Su’s a specialist in the perimeter. Akil’s more of an undersized five. And at four or five, he’s athletic. He can move, face the basket, pivot and post up (opponents) while running the floor very well. His defense is at par with Su’s," the champion coach said.
"Though I think we’re fortunate to get Akil now because he’s still in his prime at 32 (years old.) We had Su a little bit older at 34, 35," Trillo went on. "We’re excited for him because he can also play pick-and-roll defense and is a motor guy like Cliff (Hodge)."
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