GAME NOTES: GROUP B — New Taipei Kings (3-2) vs. Meralco Bolts (2-3)

Win and you’re in! Kings and Bolts battle for last Final Four berth

February 10, 2025 — Tian-Mu Campus Gymnasium, University of Taipei, Taipei City

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Where to Watch:

The New Taipei Kings and the Meralco Bolts tip off at 19:10 CT. Here’s where you can catch the game!

Chinese Taipei:

Watch the game live on Videoland (pay TV), Videoland’s Twitch and YouTube Channels, or watch via the streaming platform, PTS+ (OTT).

The Philippines:

Watch the game live or on replay on CIGNAL’s One Sports (free TV), One Sports+ (pay TV), or stream it on Pilipinas Live.

Outside These Regions:

Visit the ‘Watch’ tab on the EASL website to find streaming options in your area.

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Get Your Tickets

Get your tickets now at https://newtaipeikings.kktix.cc/events/8c521bad.

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Storylines:

Win and You’re In

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Another must-win showdown is set on Wednesday in Chinese Taipei.

After the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots secured a spot in the EASL Final Four by defeating Hong Kong Eastern last week, the New Taipei Kings and the Meralco Bolts will battle for the final berth.

The Kings opened the season with a stunning home loss to EASL newcomers, the Macau Black Bears. They avenged that defeat at the Macau Classic but fell to 1-2 after a tough loss to Group B winners, the Ryukyu Golden Kings. However, back-to-back victories propelled them to 3-2. Now, they aim to avoid an early exit as they face the Bolts, a team they defeated twice last season.

Meralco started the season strong at 2-1 with wins over the Macau Black Bears and the Busan KCC Egis. The Bolts appeared poised for a 3-1 record, leading by 13 with three minutes left in a Dec. 18 rematch against KCC. However, KCC’s Heo Ung orchestrated a stunning 14-0 run, handing Meralco a heartbreaking loss. An 18-point blowout against Ryukyu dropped them to 2-3.

With head-to-head results as the first tiebreaker and this being their only meeting of the season, a Meralco win would tie both teams at 3-3 and send the Bolts to the Final Four. That makes this a must-win for both sides.

Who will punch their ticket to Macau?

JLin7: In or Out?

*Jeremy Lin has not played a game since Jan. 21 when he limped off the court against Busan KCC Egis with a right hamstring injury.*

Jeremy Lin has been sidelined since Jan. 21 with a right hamstring injury suffered against KCC. He gingerly exited the game after backing into a defender in the post.

Injuries have plagued Lin in the EASL before. Last season, he missed the final two group-stage games and the Final Four with a plantar fascia injury. The Kings had already clinched their Final Four spot before his absence last season, but this year, they need all hands on deck.

Will Lin return in time to lead his team to the Final Four?

Another Do-or-Die Game for Meralco

The Meralco Bolts were eliminated from the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals on Sunday, losing their best-of-three series 2-1 to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

In the decisive Game 3, the Bolts led by as much as 13 points, but their advantage disappeared by the third quarter. They fought back to cut the deficit to one, but ultimately fell short and crashed out of the PBA playoffs. Chris Newsome scored a team-high 22 points, but EASL standout Akil Mitchell, who is averaging 25 points and 20 rebounds in the EASL season, scored just 8 points in the contest.

Now, they face another must-win scenario. Can they bounce back and keep their EASL hopes alive?

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New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+ — Chinese Taipei) Players to Watch:

#1 Joseph Lin, Guard, 6-foot-1

2024-25 EASL Averages: 10.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists
3x P. LEAGUE+ Champion (Taipei Fubon Braves 2020-21, 2021-22; New Taipei Kings 2023-24)
2023 P. LEAGUE+ First Team with New Taipei Kings
2024 P. LEAGUE+ Second Team with New Taipei Kings
2024 P. LEAGUE+ Assist King with New Taipei Kings
Joined the New Taipei Kings in 2022
Lin attended college at Hamilton College
Lin is from Paolo Alto, California, USA

#31 Sani Sakakini, Forward, 6-feet-8

2024-25 EASL Averages: 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists
2x All-Jordanian League First Team with Al Riyadi Amman and Sarriyet Ramallah (2010, 2013)
2013 All-Jordanian League Center with Sarriyet Ramallah (Jordan)
2x Palestinian Basketball League Champion (2013, 2021)
2014 All-Chinese CBA Third Team with Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles (China)
2015 Jordanian League Champion with Orthodox Club (Jordan)
2015 All-Asian Championships Second Team with Orthodox Club (Jordan)
2x All-Chinese CBA Honorable Mentions with Jiangsu Tongxi and Tianjin Ronggang (2016, 2017)
2022 All-T1 League First Team with Taichung Wagor Suns (Chinese Taipei)
Joined the New Taipei Kings in 2024
Sakakini is from Ramallah, Palestine

#55 Kenny Manigault, Forward, 6-foot-5

2024-25 EASL Averages: 19.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 4.2 steals
2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Champion with New Taipei Kings
2023 P. LEAGUE+ Second Team with New Taipei Kings
2x P. LEAGUE+ Steals King (2023, 2024)
Joined the New Taipei Kings in 2022
Manigault attended college at the University of South Carolina, Aiken, and the University of Pikeville.
Manigault is from North Charleston, South Carolina, USA

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Meralco Bolts (Philippines — PBA) Players to Watch:

#25 Akil Mitchell — Center, 6-foot-9

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 25.0 points, 20.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Mitchell has played professionally in France, Australia, Italy, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Puerto Rico and China
2024 BSN Champion with Criollos de Caguas (Puerto Rico)
2023 All-Champions League First Team with AEK Athens (Greece)
2023 All-Champions League Defensive Team with AEK Athens (Greece)
2022 Greek League All-Star with AEK Athens (Greece)
Mitchell played for the NBA G-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets, 2014-2015) and Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets, 2017-2018)
2014 All-ACC Defensive Team with the University of Virginia
2013 Third-Team All-ACC with the University of Virginia
Joined the Meralco Bolts in 2024
Mitchell attended the University of Virginia (2010-2014)
Mitchell is from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA