November 13, 2024 — PhilSports Arena 

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Storylines:

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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Meralco’s Size Advantage

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.

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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.

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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.

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Stopping Deonte Burton 

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. 

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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. 

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Meralco Bolts’ Players To Watch: 

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#9 DJ Kennedy — Forward, 6-foot-6

• 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

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#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

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#11 Chris Newsome — Guard, 6-foot-2

• 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.

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Busan KCC Egis’ Players To Watch: 

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#15 Deonte Burton — Forward, 6-foot-4 

• 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 

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#7 Jung Changyoung — Guard, 6-foot-3

• 2024-25 EASL Averages: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists 
• 2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists
• Jung is KCC’s current team captain 
• 2024 KBL Champion 
• Joined KCC in 2019 
• Selected 8th overall in the 2011 KBL Draft 
• Jung attended Korea University 
• Jung is from Seoul, South Korea 

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#3 Heo Ung — Guard, 6-foot-1

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 12 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist 
• 2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 14.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists 
• 2024 KBL Champion 
• 2024 KBL Playoffs MVP
• Current South Korea National Team Player  
• 2022 KBL Best 5 
• Joined KCC in 2022 
• 2018 Asian Games Bronze Medalist 
• 2017 FIBA Asia Cup Bronze Medalist 
• 2016 KBL Most Improved Player with Wonju DB Promy 
• 5th Overall Pick in the 2014 KBL Draft 
• Heo attended Yonsei University 
• Heo is from Seoul, South Korea 

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Meralco By The Numbers: 

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Team History

• Founded in 2010
• 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Champions

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2024-25 EASL Upcoming Games

• Home vs. Busan KCC Egis (KBL) — Nov. 13, 2024
• Away vs. Busan KCC Egis (KBL) — Dec. 18, 2024
• Home vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) — Jan. 22, 2025
• Away vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) — Feb. 12, 2025

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2024-25 EASL Results

• 3rd in Group B
• Group stage record: 1-1 
• Game 1: 97-85 win against Macau Black Bears (Macau SAR) — Oct. 2, 2024
• Game 2: 77-74 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B. LEAGUE) — Oct. 16, 2024 

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2024-25 EASL Statistic Leaders

• Points: DJ Kennedy — 23.5 ppg
• Rebounds: DJ Kennedy — 10.5 rpg
• Assists: DJ Kennedy — 4 apg
• Steals: Chris Newsome — 1.5 spg
• Blocks: Ange Kouame — 1 bpg

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Busan KCC By The Numbers:

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Team History

• Founded in 1978 
• 6-time KBL Champions 
• 5-time KBL Regular Season Champions 
• 2023 KBL Cup Winners 

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2024-25 EASL Statistic Leaders

• Points: Deonte Burton — 35 ppg
• Rebounds: Leon Williams — 16 rpg 
• Assists: Deonte Burton — 11 apg 
• Steals: Deonte Burton — 4 spg 
• Blocks: Deonte Burton — 2 bpg 

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2024-25 EASL Results 

• 5th in Group B
• Group stage record: 0-1 
• Game 1: 111-97 loss against Macau Black Bears (Macau SAR) — Nov. 6, 2024

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2024-25 KBL Statistic Leaders

• Points: Deonte Burton — 15.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Deonte Burton — 7.8 rpg 
• Assists: Deonte Burton — 3.5 apg 
• Steals: Deonte Burton — 1.9 spg 
• Blocks: Deonte Burton — 1.8 bpg 

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2024-25 KBL Record 

• 6th in KBL Standings 
• Record: 4-5
• Latest Game: 93-57 loss against Seoul SK Knights — Nov. 9, 2024 

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2024-25 EASL Upcoming Games

• Away vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) — Nov. 13, 2024
• Away vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) — Dec. 4, 2024
• Home vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) — Dec. 18, 2024
• Home vs. Macau Black Bears (Macau SAR) — Jan. 15, 2025
• Home vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) — Jan. 21, 2025

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