What Happened: ‍

The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots improved to 2-0 in the 2025-26 EASL season, winning their home opener against the Meralco Bolts 82-72. It was a low-scoring, very physical game where neither side ever really got comfortable offensively, with both teams finishing under 40 percent from the field.

Taoyuan steadily built control through the first three quarters, winning every frame and leading by as many as 22. Meralco made its push in the fourth — taking the period 25-18 and cutting the deficit to 10 with a little over seven minutes left — but the Pilots held on for victory.

For Meralco, Ismael Romero had a huge showing with a game-high 26 points and 17 rebounds, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 22 points, 10 boards, and four assists. No other Bolt scored in double figures. 

Taoyuan was led by Will Artino’s 20 points and 17 rebounds — already on a double-double by halftime — while Alec Brown contributed 18 points and eight rebounds.

What It Means: 

Taoyuan is now 2-0, firmly cementing itself at the top of Group B. Meralco, meanwhile, drops its second straight EASL game after losing the season opener on Oct. 22 in Okinawa and falls to 0-2, becoming the first team in this campaign to drop two in a row.

EASL Player of the Game: Alec Brown

On both ends of the floor, Alec Brown was outstanding. Defensively, he forced his matchups into tough looks. Offensively, he ran the floor, finished plays and knocked down difficult shots.

The 7-footer threw down two dunks in the contest— one in transition and another off a baseline rip-through from the left corner. He was also effective when switched onto smaller, more athletic players like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

This is Brown’s first EASL Player of the Game honor, even though he played in 2024-25 and excelled that season. Last year, he finished top 10 in total points and rebounds and led the league in blocked shots with 14.
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Super Statistic: 35.8% 

Taoyuan and Meralco both had off shooting nights on Sunday, combining to hit just 35.8% from the field, the lowest mark in any single game so far in the 2025-26 season. The Pilots had the slight edge at 37.8%, while Meralco finished at 33.8%.

From the start, it felt like there was a lid on the rim. Neither team made a 3 in the opening quarter, and it was not until a Chris Banchero triple from the left wing at the 9:08 mark of the second that someone finally connected from outside.

Even the usual threats from deep struggled. Taoyuan’s Alec Brown and Lu Chun Hsiang, along with Meralco’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris Newsome, all shot below 20 percent from long range. Nobody on either side made more than one 3 the entire game.

Up Next: 

Funny enough, these two are playing each other again in less than a week.

EASL’s first-ever game in the Philippines outside of Manila will see the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and the Meralco Bolts meet at Capital Arena in Ilagan City, Isabela, on Saturday, November 8. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CST.

Tickets are on sale now. Grab yours by clicking HERE.