After Meralco bolts Akil Mitchell sustained a broken nose in their win last 1 December win against Rain or Shine, he is suspected to miss a couple of games. The immediate question now is who will the Bolts tap to replace him temporarily.
Meralco will not be lacking in options. They already have two replacements in their own backyard with DJ Kennedy and Ange Kouame ready and available as part of the Bolts' campaign in the East Asia Super League. The just need to decide if they need scoring and speed or rebounding and height.
"They are both ready. I think DJ is a nice guy to have also. He’s played overseas. He knows the game. He is a different dimension," said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
The 35-year-old Kennedy, a former teammate of Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, is currently averaging 20.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for the Bolts in the EASL. The 6-foot-6 Kennedy has vast experience internationally having previously played in China, Turkey, Australia, Israel, and Ukraine.
Kouame could also be in line to be Meralco’s import in the PBA, if the Bolts choose so. The 26-year-old Filipino-Ivorian is eligible to play in the Commissioner’s Cup after the league scrapped the height limit for this conference.
The 6-foot-11 Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player is averaging 7.0 points and 6.7 rebounds for Meralco in the EASL.
"Puwede si Ange. Either one. The good thing is pasalamat kami na we have two players [available]," Trillo said.
It can't be denied, however, that it will be difficult to replace Mitchell, even albeit temporarily, based on his current performance and how much he has provided for Meralco.
Mitchell has so far been impressive with the Bolts, tallying 27 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and six steals in his first game with Meralco against Phoenix.
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