What Happened 

EASL’s longest-running rivalry enjoyed its fifth bout on Wednesday, with the Ryukyu Golden Kings defeating the Meralco Bolts 81–72.

Ryukyu’s home win kept the franchise undefeated against Meralco at Okinawa SUNTORY Arena and moved the all-time series to 4–1, the lone loss coming at a neutral site in 2023–24.

In a physical game from the start, the teams combined for 41 fouls, the most of any Week 2 matchup. For Meralco, new signing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led with 25 points, while Ismael Romero (13), Chris Newsome (12), and CJ Cansino (11) also scored in double digits.

After a rugged first quarter, Ryukyu led by one at halftime, three at the end of the third, and pulled away late. The Golden Kings’ frontcourt of Alex Kirk and Jack Cooley combined for 29 points and 36 rebounds, and Ryuichi Kishimoto posted a team-high 22 points.

Another notable performance came from Ryukyu’s Ryo Sadohara, who rebounded from a scoreless EASL opener to score 16 points.

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What It Means 

Ryukyu is back to winning ways, now second in Group B behind only the P. LEAGUE+’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, who beat them at EASL Tip Off 2025.

Meralco’s loss drops the Bolts to the bottom of a stacked Group B, while the Macau Black Bears — who are yet to play — sit at third. 

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EASL Player of the Game 

Ryuichi Kishimoto opened his 2025–26 home account with 22 points on five made 3s. He showed zero hesitation, finishing with a team-high 15 field-goal attempts.

Of those five 3s, two stood out. Right before halftime, he buried back-to-back deep triples from near NBA range. The second came from around the “U” in “Ryukyu” at midcourt and sent the Golden Kings into the break up 37–36.

Kishimoto also went 7-for-8 at the line and recorded four steals.

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Super Statistic: 48  

Ryukyu dominated the glass against Meralco, pulling down 48 rebounds for a plus-nine edge. Through six games this season, that is the most by any team in a single game.

The gap on the boards produced a stream of second-chance points and cut off Meralco’s put-back chances. It felt like everything that went up — at either end — ended with a Cooley or Kirk rebound.

Cooley and Kirk combined for 36 rebounds, a new season high for a two-man duo. The next closest is Seoul SK’s imports Jameel Warney and Darryl Monroe, who totaled 21 boards at Utsunomiya on Wednesday.

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Up Next 

Ryukyu’s next EASL game is on Dec. 17, at home against the Macau Black Bears.

Meralco, meanwhile, has a quick turnaround: on Nov. 2 they’re on the road against the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.