Milestones In The History Of The Meralco Bolts

Filipino basketball afficionados are familiar with the history of the Meralco Bolts and how in the late 1960's the team is one of the pioneer members of the defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA), the premier amateur league of that time. Known as the Reddy Kilowatts, their roster then included future PBA Hall of Famers Robert Jaworski, Francis Arnaiz, among other notable professional cagers.

The team was disbanded in 1972, in the aftermath of the lifetime suspensions given to Robert Jaworski and Alberto "Big Boy" Reynoso after they beat up referees during a match against the Crispa Floro Redmanizers during the 1972 MICAA All-Filipino Cup.

After the Sta. Lucia Realtors’ PBA franchise was purchased by Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) in 2010, the team was officially back in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). This team is owned by Manuel V. Pangilinan, a billionaire who also owns the NLEX Road Warriors and TNT Tropang Giga.

The team wears a combination of navy blue, orange, and white.Since its inception, Meralco Bolts have achieved the following noteworthy milestones:

• August 2010: Meralco Bolts purchases the Sta. Lucia Realtors PBA franchise.
• October 2010: The 2010–11 Meralco Bolts make their debut with a roster that includes Chris Ross, Nelbert Omolon, Marlou Aquino, Ogie Menor, Pong Escobal, Chris Pacana, Mark Cardona, Asi Taulava, Beau Belga, Dennis Daa, and Chris Pacana.
• 2011–12 PBA Philippine Cup: They had an 8–6 win-loss record and placed sixth overall; however, they were defeated by the Petron Blaze Boosters.
• 2012–13 PBA season: Ramon Segismundo declared that the team’s 2012–13 uniform will carry over design elements from the 1971 outfits.
• 2014-15 PBA Philippine Cup: They were the runner-up in the Philippine Cup conference, losing to the eventual champions, the Alaska Aces, after a strong showing that included an upset against the Purefoods Star Hotshots, the reigning champions.
• 2018 PBA Governors Cup: In a best-of-five match, Meralco was beaten by the Alaska Aces, marking the first time since their inaugural finals appearance that they have failed to advance past the semifinals.
• 2022–2023 season: Throughout the Philippine Cup, Luigi Trillo took Norman Black’s position for the final five games of the elimination phase after Black filed for a leave of absence due to personal reasons.
• 2024 PBA Philippine Cup: The Meralco Bolts finally won their first PBA title after beating the San Miguel Beermen in six games to win the 2024 Honda PBA Philippine Cup. Chris Newsome was named Finals MVP.