After spending three successful seasons with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, Allen Durham returned to Okinawa but with the Meralco Bolts for some EASL action.
Safe to say, Allen Durham is a beloved figure in the B.LEAGUE, particularly in Okinawa for his successful stint with the Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Durham, after his first set of run with the Meralco Bolts in the PBA, settled into Japan and played three straight seasons with the Golden Kings.
In those three seasons, Ryukyu made the B.LEAGUE Finals each time, including a breakthrough B1 championship in 2023 after sweeping the Chiba Jets.
Durham was even named Championship MVP during their title run, equivalent to being named MVP of the Playoffs.
AD returned to Meralco for the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, but the Bolts were unfortunately eliminated by rival Ginebra in the quarterfinals.
Still, Durham stayed on with Meralco for the East Asia Super League, paving the way for him to return to the Okinawa Arena Wednesday, albeit as an opponent.
Nevertheless, the team and the local fans showered him with love and welcomed him with open arms… and then dealt him with a 77-74 loss.
Ryukyu got off to a strong start to its EASL season, taking the home win over Meralco. However, the victory was not without its challenges as the Bolts charged ahead late in the game.
[Related: Ryukyu survives Meralco's late charge for winning EASL start]
After the Golden Kings rebuilt a double-digit lead with 2:49 to go, Meralco would score the last eight points of the game. Fortunately, Ryukyu was up 11 and held on for the win.
Durham figured in the final key sequences, first making two free throws with 41.7 seconds left to cut the deficit to three. After Meralco got a stop, AD then attempted the final three to tie, but was blocked by former teammate Vic Law.
Durham scored 18 points in his Okinawa return, joining Chris Newsome who also had 18 for Meralco. DJ Kennedy actually paced the Bolts with 30 points.
For the Golden Kings, Law and Jack Cooley scored 18 each.
Meralco and Ryukyu are set for at least one more showdown this EASL season, but the second meeting will be on January 22, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena.