Game Notes: Group B – Meralco Bolts (1-2) vs. Seoul SK Knights (1-2)

Can the Bolts build off the historic night in Macau?

December 27, 2023 – PhilSports Arena, Manila, Philippine

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Storylines

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Bolts coming off a historic night in Macau‍

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Crowds crashed onto center court after the Meralco Bolts’ historic victory against Ryukyu Golden Kings in Studio City Macau on December 13, as the Bolts became the first Philippine team to win an EASL game since 2019.

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Guard Chris Newsome was the hero in that game, scoring 27 points, including a 4-point play in the dying seconds to send the game to overtime. He would add another six points in the extra frame to give the Bolts the come-from-behind victory.

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With Meralco on a high, can they build their momentum and keep their Final Four hopes alive?

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Lofton’s iso game takes charge‍

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Zach Lofton has been a revelation for the Meralco Bolts since joining the team in late November.

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While the Bolts were used to a more team-orientated offense when Suleiman Braimoh was around, they have transitioned to a more isolated offense since Lofton joined the team.

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Lofton relies heavily on his isolation game to get points, and it has helped the Bolts in the EASL. The American swingman has scored 35 points in each of his two games played in EASL, placing him only behind SK’s Jameel Warney in league scoring.

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Will the Bolts continue to rely on Lofton’s iso game, or do they have something else drawn up their sleeve?

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Does Warney have help?‍

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SK Knights forward Jameel Warney has been a force in EASL this season, averaging a league-high 42 points per game.

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Unfortunately, in the two EASL games he played, he outscored his teammates 84-67. Both games resulted in losses.

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SK will need to find a source outside Warney if they don’t want to put Warney at risk of injury.

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‍By the Numbers

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‍Meralco Bolts (Philippines – PBA)‍

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- 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: 1-2

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)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Zach Lofton – 35.0 ppg
Rebounds: Prince Ibeh – 9.0 rpg
Assists: Chris Newsome – 3.0 apg
Steals: Prince Ibeh & Aaron Black – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Prince Ibeh – 2.3 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Home vs. Seoul SK Knights (KBL) – December 27, 2023
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 FiberXers5
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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‍Seoul SK Knights (South Korea – KBL)

- Team History:

Founded: 1997
Honors: 3x KBL Champions (1999-00, 2017-18, 2021-22)
2x EASL Runners Up (2019 Terrific 12, 2023 EASL Champions Week)

- 2022-23 KBL season:

Runners-up in 2022-23 KBL season
Regular season record: 36-18
Second in the regular season
Playoffs: defeated Jeonju KCC Egis 3-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Changwon LG Sakers 3-0 in semifinals; lost to Anyang KGC 4-3 in KBL Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 1-2

October 18, 2023: 80-79 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
November 1, 2023: 82-69 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
November 8, 2023: 90-72 loss against New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jameel Warney – 42.0 ppg
Rebounds: Leon Williams – 12.7 rpg
Assists: Kim Sun Hyung – 6.0 apg
Steals: Leon Williams & Juan Gómez de Liaño – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Jameel Warney – 2.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Away vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) – December 27, 2023
Home vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) – January 31, 2024
Home vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) – February 7, 2024

- EASL History:

2023 EASL Champions Week: Seoul SK Knights went 2-1, defeating Bay Area Dragons 92-84 and PBA side TNT Tropang Giga 80-69 in the Group Stage. They lost to KBL side Anyang KGC 90-84 in the Final.
2019 Terrific 12: Seoul SK Knights went 3-1, beating PBA side Blackwater Elite and B.LEAGUE side Chiba Jets in the Group Stage. SK defeated CBA side Zhejiang Lions in the semifinals before falling to CBA side Liaoning Flying Leopards in the finals.

- KBL 2023-24 Season record: 16-8