GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Meralco Bolts (1-1) vs. Busan KCC Egis (0-1)

KCC hopes to capture first EASL win in second consecutive road game

November 13, 2024 — PhilSports Arena

‍

Storylines:

‍

Akil Mitchell Replaces Allen Durham

The Meralco Bolts announced Monday the addition of 6-foot-9 forward Akil Mitchell as their new import player. Mitchell is expected to replace former import standout Allen Durham, who left the team on October 30 after their 2024 Governors' Cup run. Durham was a key player for Meralco in EASL play this season where he averaged 17.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in two games.

‍

Mitchell’s arrival strengthens Meralco's frontcourt depth, joining the 6-foot-11 Ange Kouame and 6-foot-8 Raymond Almazan. The Bolts now have a formidable frontline that could enhance their rebounding and defense.

‍

Mitchell, who last played for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association, is anticipated to make his debut for the Bolts on Wednesday in their EASL matchup against the Busan KCC Egis. His experience and size should provide a significant boost to the Bolts' lineup.

‍

Meralco’s Size Advantage

KCC's Leon Williams (front) attempts to box out Macau's 7-foot-6 center Samuel Deguara. In their EASL debut on Nov. 6, KCC lost the rebounding battle 54-43 which proved costly in their 111-97 loss to the Black Bears.

The Meralco Bolts hold a notable size advantage against the Busan KCC Egis, largely due to a series of injuries that have impacted KCC’s lineup. Key players such as 6-foot-6 Choi Jun Yong and 6-foot-5 Song Kyo Chang have been sidelined, while 6-foot-11 Tyler Davis was dismissed over weight concerns.

‍

The height disparity was evident in KCC’s EASL season opener against the Macau Black Bears on November 6. In that game, Macau's towering frontcourt, led by 7-foot-6 Samuel Deguara and 6-foot-11 William Artino, exposed KCC's rebounding limitations, leading to a 54-43 rebound deficit and 18 offensive boards for Macau.

‍

To compete against Meralco, KCC will need to find ways to limit the Bolts’ size advantage if it hopes to keep the game competitive. Meralco's formidable frontcourt of Kouame, Almazan and the newly acquired Mitchell poses a significant challenge in the paint.

‍

Stopping Deonte Burton

Deonte Burton chalked a game-high 35 points in his EASL debut on Nov. 6. Burton previously spent time with the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings.

Although KCC lost 111-97 in its EASL season opener, star Deonte Burton still in his debut. The guard posted a game-high 35 points, along with seven rebounds and 11 assists, scoring in a variety of ways, from powerful drives to the basket, to stepping out for 3-pointers.

‍

For Meralco, stopping Burton will be key to controlling KCC’s offense as much of the reigning KBL Champions’ sets revolve around their new import. By limiting Burton in transition and forcing him to give up the ball in a halfcourt setting, the Bolts’ can likely bounce back into the win column.

‍

Meralco Bolts’ Players To Watch:

‍

#9 DJ Kennedy — Forward, 6-foot-6

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EASL🏀East Asia Super League (@eastasiasuperleague)

2024-25 EASL Averages: 23.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4 assists
Joined the Meralco Bolts in 2024
2022 BIBL Champion with Hapoel Galil Elyon
2019 Italian League Champion with Reyer Venezia
2018 BCL Rebounding Leader with Pinar Karsiyaka
2018 BCL Star Lineup Best Team with Pinar Karsiyaka
2016 FIBA Europe Cup Starting Five with Enisey
2015 All-BBL First Team with BG Ludwigsburg
2015 BBL Best Offensive Player with BG Ludwigsburg
2015 BBL Scoring Champion with BG Ludwigsburg
2013 NBA D-League Champion with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2013 NBA D-League All-Star with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2013 All-NBA D-League Third Team with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Kennedy went undrafted in the 2011 NBA Draft
Kennedy attended college at St. John’s University (2007-2011)
Kennedy is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

‍

#34 Ange Kouame — Center, 6-foot-11

2024-25 EASL Averages: 6.5 points, 7 rebounds, 0 assists
Joined the Meralco Bolts in 2024
3x UAAP Champion (2018, 2019, 2022)
2022 UAAP Finals MVP
2021 UAAP MVP
2021 UAAP Mythical Team
2019 PCCL Mythical Five
2x PCCL Champion (2018, 2019)
2018 UAAP Rookie of the Year
Kouame attended Ateneo University (2018-2022)
Kouame is from Abidjan, Ivory Coast

‍

#11 Chris Newsome — Guard, 6-foot-2

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EASL🏀East Asia Super League (@eastasiasuperleague)

2024-25 EASL Averages: 18 points, 2 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Joined the Meralco Bolts in 2015
2024 PBA Philippine Cup Champion
2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals MVP
2x PBA All-Star (2023, 2024)
2024 PBA First Mythical Team
2x PBA All-Defensive Team (2023, 2024)
2017 PBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion
2016 PBA Rookie of the Year
2016 PBA All-Rookie Team
2015 PBA D-League Champion
Selected as the 4th overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft
2014 National Collegiate Mythical Team
Newsome attended college at New Mexico Highlands and Ateneo de Manila
Newsome is from San Jose, California, USA.

‍

Busan KCC Egis’ Players To Watch:

‍

#15 Deonte Burton — Forward, 6-foot-4

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EASL🏀East Asia Super League (@eastasiasuperleague)

2024-25 EASL Averages: 35 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists
2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 15 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Burton joined KCC in 2024
Buton spent time in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2018-2020) and the Sacramento Kings (2023)
2018 KBL Foreign MVP
Burton began his professional career with the KBL’s Wonju DB Promy
Burton went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft
2017 Second-Team All-Big 12
2016 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year
2014 Big East All-Rookie Team
Burton attended Marquette (2013-2015) and Iowa State (2015-2017)
Burton is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

‍

#7 Jung Changyoung — Guard, 6-foot-3