Meralco misses EASL playoffs again, Ryukyu advances as Group B leader

What has become a long, agonizing wait for a breakthrough playoff appearance in the East Asia Super League continues for Meralco.

The Bolts bowed out of the pan-regional contest’s 2025-26 edition after a late-game rally fell short and ultimately led to an 88-79 defeat at the hands of an old tormentor in Ryukyu at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Wednesday night.

Coach Nenad Vucinic & Co. needed to win by six in order to clinch the no. 2 seed in Group B and book a trip to the EASL Finals. But simply, the Golden Kings were better from start to finish, thus denying the PBA outfit’s bid.

As a result, the B.League representatives are headed straight to the semifinals by virtue of being the pool’s best team with a 5-1 record, with P. League+ side Taoyuan Pauian Pilots coming in at second with a 4-2 slate.

Meralco, on the other hand, finished third in the group at 3-3, missing the playoffs for the third time in as many campaigns in the home-and-away tilt.

“They’re a team that knows what they’re doing. Solid team. They’ve been together for a long time,” said coach Luigi Trillo. “They shot the ball well, but I think they did well in the first half enough to have that cushion to get this win.”

Nonetheless, it was a gallant stand for the Philippine-based ball club, which roared back from a 74-54 deficit and came within just five, 84-79, with less than a minute left behind the efforts of Puerto Rican big man Ismail Romero.

It’s just that they couldn’t hit the target particularly from deep, and free throws by Shuto Sakihama and Vic Law totally shut the door for the home team.

“Just gotta give a lot of credit to our team,” said Justin Brownlee. “We fought hard, we fought through a lot of adversity out there.

“Honestly, we didn’t play with a rhythm that we like probably for not being with each other playing games like the Golden Kings. I’m glad of our effort,” the naturalized Filipino added.

Romero top-scored for Meralco with 24 points and nine rebounds, with Cady Lalanne backing him up with 18 points and five rebounds.

Brownlee finished with 12 points but struggled to get going, as he only shot 3-for-13 from the floor, including a 2-of-7 clip from deep. The three-time PBA Best Import did add four rebounds and six assists to his tally, though.

Sina Vahedi chipped in 10 points for the Bolts, who will now turn their attention to the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup that commences in March.

On the other hand, a total of five players finished in double figures for Ryukyu, with Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki leading the way with 18 points–all from threes.

Law had 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Ryuichi Kishimoto and Ryo Sadohara made 13 points apiece, while Jack Cooley came through with a double-double performance with 10 points and 11 rebounds.