Game Notes: Group B – Meralco Bolts (1-3) vs. New Taipei Kings (2-0)

January 3, 2024 – PhilSports Arena, Manila, Philippines

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‍‍Storylines‍

Awaiting Linsanity‍

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Jeremy Lin joined his brother Joseph last offseason, adding formidable firepower to the New Taipei Kings.

The former NBA star was unstoppable in his first season in P. LEAGUE+, averaging 26.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists in 19 games for the Kaohsiung 17LIVESteelers.

The Kings’ talisman is yet to turn in a really dominant performance in EASL this season. He is averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 8 assists in his two games.

However, a fiery performance in the Kings’ home game against Meralco on November 29 helped the Taipei side secure victory in a hard-fought game.

Jeremy has plenty of fans in basketball-crazy Philippines, as well as in Taipei. Will Asia’s biggest star put on a show for them in Manila on Wednesday night?

Underdogs Meralco can bite

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Meralco Bolts have impressed despite their 1-3 record. After losing heavily in their first game against Ryukyu Golden Kings, the PBA side’s following three games have been close affairs. They have gone 1-2 and outscored their opponents 269-261 .

Against the Kings in New Taipei City in November, Meralco were leading after three quarters. The P. LEAGUE+ side went five of seven from beyond the arc in the final frame, ultimately beating the Bolts 97-92.

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The Bolts come into this game off a heartbreaking one-point loss against Seoul SK Knights last week. Coach Luigi Trillo revealed after the game that several of his squad had been down with Covid.

They may not be favorites, but Meralco are not to be written off going into this game.

Kings cool off after hot start

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The New Taipei Kings started the season with a nine-game winning streak in EASL and P. LEAGUE+ combined.

However, since December 17, they have gone 1-4 domestically.

The Kings have only played two EASL games this season, winning both. Group B is finely poised, Seoul SK Knights and Ryukyu Golden Kings both on 2-2 and Meralco on 1-3.

A win for the Kings on Wednesday would virtually secure Final Four qualification. A loss would blow the group wide open.

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‍By the Numbers

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‍Meralco Bolts (Philippines – PBA)

- Team History:

Founded: 2010
Honors: 4x PBA Governors’ Cup runners-up (2015-16, 2016-17, 2019, 2021)

- 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup

Regular season record: 7-4
Playoffs: defeated Magnolia Hotshots 113-107 in Quarterfinals; loss to TNT Tropang Giga 3-1 in semifinals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 1-3

November 15, 2023: 89-61 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
November 29, 2023: 97-92 loss against New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)
December 13, 2023: 97-88 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
December 27, 2023: 81-80 loss against Seoul SK Knights (KBL)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Zach Lofton – 34.0 ppg
Rebounds: Prince Ibeh – 9.5 rpg
Assists: Chris Newsome – 3.8 apg
Steals: Chris Newsome – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Prince Ibeh – 2.8 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Home vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) – January 3, 2024
Away vs. Seoul SK Knights (KBL) – February 7, 2024

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season record: 6-2

November 8, 2023: 107-102 win over Rain or Shine
November 11, 2023: 91-84 win over Blackwater Bossing
November 19, 2023: 93-83 loss against San Miguel Beermen
November 26, 2023: 109-95 win over TNT Tropang Giga
December 3, 2023: 97-94 win over NLEX Road Warriors
December 10, 2023: 125-99 win over NorthPort Batang Pier
December 17, 2023: 105-99 win over Converge FiberXers
December 22, 2023: 110-96 loss against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season stat leaders:

Points: Zach Lofton – 35.7 ppg
Rebounds: Cliff Hodge – 8.1 rpg
Assists: Zach Lofton – 4.3 apg
Steals: Chris Newsome – 1.0 spg
Blocks: Brandon Bates – 1.0 bpg

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‍New Taipei Kings

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- Team History:

Founded: 2021
Honors: 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ runners-up

- 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ Runners-Up

Regular season record: 27-13
P. LEAGUE+ Regular Season Champions
Playoffs: defeated Dreamers 3-1 in semifinals; lost to Taipei Fubon Braves 4-2 in P. LEAGUE+ Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 2-0

November 8, 2023: 90-72 win over Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
November 27, 2023: 97-92 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Kenny Manigault – 20.5 ppg
Rebounds: Kenny Manigault – 11.0 rpg
Assists: Jeremy Lin – 8.0 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.0 spg
Blocks: Christian Anigwe – 2.5 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Away vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) – January 3, 2024
Home vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) – January 10, 2024
Away vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) – January 24, 2024
Away vs. Seoul SK Knights (KBL) – January 31, 2024

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Season record: 8-4

November 11, 2023: 96-89 win over Taipei Fubon Braves
November 18, 2023: 111-87 win over Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
November 19, 2023: 123-113 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
November 25, 2023: 98-92 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
November 26, 2023: 109-93 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 3, 2023: 92-81 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 9, 2023: 107-86 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
December 17, 2023: 100-90 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
December 23, 2023: 111-106 win over Taipei Fubon Braves
December 24, 2023: 120-104 loss against Formosa Dreamers
December 30, 2023: 105-98 loss against Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
December 31, 2023: 104-96 loss against Taipei Fubon Braves

- P. LEAGUE+ 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jeremy Lin – 21.8 ppg
Rebounds: Byron Mullens – 12.0 rpg
Assists: Jeremy Lin – 5.8 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.6 spg
Blocks: Byron Mullens – 1.4 bpg

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‍Players to Watch

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‍Meralco Bolts

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#11 Chris Newsome – SG

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- USA NCAA Division II: New Mexico Highlands (2008-11)

- Philippines NCAA UAAP: Ateneo de Manila (2013-14)

2014 UAAP Mythical Team

- 2015 PBA Draft: 4^th overall pick – Meralco Bolts

2023 PBA All-Star
2023 PBA All-Defensive Team
2016 PBA Rookie of the Year
2016 PBA All-Rookie Team
2017 PBA Slam Dunk Contest champion

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

16.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.8 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioners’ Cup season stats:

13.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.6 apg

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#3 Zach Lofton – SG

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- USA NCAA Division I: Illinois State (2013-14), Texas Southern (2016-17), New Mexico State (2017-18)

2017 AP Honorable Mention All-American
2017 SWAC Player of the Year (Texas Southern)
2017 First-team All-SWAC (Texas Southern)
2017 SWAC Newcomer of the Year (Texas Southern)
2018 First-team All-WAC (New Mexico State)

- Former NBA player (Detroit Pistons)

- Former NBA G League player (Grand Rapids Drive)

- Germany: ProA – Rostock Seawolves

- Kuwait: Kuwaiti Division I – Kazma

- Lebanon: LFB – Dynamo Lebanon

- Libya: LBL – Al-Ahly Benghazi

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

34.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioners’ Cup season stats:

35.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.3 apg

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#7 Cliff Hodge – PF

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- USA NCAA Division II: Hawaii Pacific (2008-09)

- 2012 PBA Draft: 4^th overall pick – Meralco Bolts

PBA Mythical Second Team (2017)
2× PBA All-Defensive Team (2021, 2023)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

7.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioners’ Cup season stats:

7.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.8 apg

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‍New Taipei Kings‍

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#7 Jeremy Lin – G

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- USA NCAA Division I: Harvard (2006-2010)

2× First-team All-Ivy League (2009, 2010)
2008 Second-team All-Ivy League

- Former NBA player (Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors)

NBA Career Stats: 480 games – 11.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 spg
NBA: 2019 NBA Champion (Toronto Raptors)
2012 NBA TV Social Breakout Player of the Year

- Former NBA G League player (Reno Bighorns, Erie Bayhawks, Santa Cruz Warriors)

- China: CBA – Beijing Ducks