Meralco shifts focus to EASL semis bid with final do-or-die game vs New Taipei

The Meralco Bolts face a do-or-die battle against the New Taipei Kings in the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL), with a ticket to the Final Four in Macau on the line Wednesday.

Despite a rough stretch in both the EASL and PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the Bolts have a golden opportunity to salvage their campaign and make history by becoming just the third Philippine team to reach the semifinals of an EASL competition.

Meralco, currently at 2-3, must pull off a win to advance. While New Taipei holds a superior 3-2 record, the EASL’s first tiebreaker is head-to-head results, meaning a Bolts victory will send them through.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Meralco, which started strong in the tournament but stumbled with a pair of tough losses, putting them on the brink of elimination.

Now, after another early playoff exit in the PBA at the hands of bitter rival Ginebra, securing a Final Four spot in the EASL should be a much-needed morale booster for Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, and the rest of the Bolts.

Winning this game would not only allow Meralco to continue its EASL run but also tie the best finish by any Philippine team in the competition. The NLEX Road Warriors (2018 Super 8) and the San Miguel Beermen (2019 The Terrific 12) both made it as far as the semifinals back when the EASL was primarily a pre-season event.

Now, Meralco aims to match that feat under the tournament’s new home-and-away format.

New Taipei, on the other hand, looks to book a second straight EASL Final Four appearance but will likely have to do it without star guard Jeremy Lin, who has been sidelined with an injury since mid-January.

The Kings still possess plenty of firepower, but the continued absence of the former NBA standout could be a factor as they try to fend off Meralco’s desperate push.

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[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]