GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Meralco Bolts (2-2) vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (4-1)

Written by EASL

Tyler Schiff

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Meralco looks to even season series, move one step closer to Final Four berth

January 22, 2025 — PhilSports Arena

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‍Where To Watch

The Meralco Bolts and Ryukyu Golden Kings tip off at 8:10 p.m. CST. Here’s where you can catch the game!

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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.

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Japan

Watch the game live on Japanese streaming platform, U-NEXT (OTT)

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Outside These Regions:

‍If you’re outside these regions and want to watch the East Asia Super League (EASL) games on Jan. 22, visit the ‘Watch’ tab on our website to see where you can stream based on your location.

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Get Your Tickets

Get your tickets at: https://www.ticketmax.ph/events/easl-manila-2024-bolts-vs-golden-kings/

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Storylines

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Locking Up B1

Ryukyu's Vic Law (left) jostles with New Taipei's Kenny Manigault Jr. Though the Golden Kings suffered their first loss of the season to New Taipei on Jan. 8, they can lock up the top seed in Group B with a victory over Meralco on Wednesday.

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If Ryukyu defeats Meralco at PhilSports Arena, the Golden Kings will clinch the top seed in Group B. A victory would improve their record to 5-1, ensuring they remain in first place, as every other team in the group has already suffered at least two losses.

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However, despite holding onto the top spot since their opening group-stage win on Oct. 16, Ryukyu’s position isn’t entirely secure. Yes, the Golden Kings have secured a Final Four spot already but a loss to Meralco, combined with either the Bolts or the P. LEAGUE+’s New Taipei Kings winning out, could see them slip to the second seed in Group B.

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That said, Ryukyu has already faced and overcome Meralco once this season. In their home opener, they withstood a 30-point explosion from Bolts star DJ Kennedy to claim a 77-74 victory, with captain Vic Law sealing the win by blocking a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer.

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As they head into a challenging road environment on Wednesday, Ryukyu will look to build on that success and secure control of the B1 seed heading into the Final Four.

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More From Newsome

Meralco's Chris Newsome drives right on Busan KCC's Choi Jun-Yong during their matchup on Dec. 18. Despite mustering just 13 points in his last two EASL outings, Newsome has been efficient, notching over 45% in both field goal and 3-point percentage.

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Chris Newsome, Meralco’s undisputed leader and the Finals MVP of the team’s first-ever PBA Championship victory in 2024, has struggled to find his rhythm in recent EASL action.

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After starting the 2024-25 season strong with 36 points across his first two games, the shooting guard has since cooled off, managing just 13 combined points in his last two appearances. His struggles were highlighted in a season-low five-point outing against Group B’s fifth-placed Busan KCC Egis on Dec. 18, where he missed a crucial go-ahead layup in the final moments. That misstep led to a fast-break opportunity for KCC’s Heo Ung, who sealed a stunning come-from-behind win.

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For Meralco to stand a chance against Group B leaders Ryukyu in their upcoming rematch, Newsome must step up. If the Bolts' captain can break into double digits on Wednesday, they can boost their record above .500 and move one step closer to securing the final Final Four spot in Group B.

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Mitchell Takes On Ryukyu Frontcourt

Meralco's Akil Mitchell (#25) puts in a layup over the contest of Busan KCC's Lee Seong-Hyun. The 6-foot-9 center joined the Bolts in early November and has impressed, leading the team in points (25.0) and rebounds (20.0).

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Meralco’s midseason addition, Akil Mitchell, has quietly put together one of the most impressive EASL campaigns in history. Since joining the Bolts ahead of their November 13 clash with Busan KCC Egis, he has delivered standout performances in both appearances, averaging an incredible 25 points and 20 rebounds—making him the only player in the league to maintain a 20-20 average.

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However, Mitchell faces a tough test on Wednesday against Ryukyu’s deep and versatile frontcourt. With options like Jack Cooley, Alex Kirk, and Keve Aluma — depending on head coach Dai Oketani’s lineup decision — he will be challenged to dominate the boards and finish effectively in the paint.

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Even if his scoring slows down, Mitchell’s ability to limit Ryukyu’s second-chance opportunities will be crucial. The Golden Kings thrive on the offensive glass, pulling down over 10 per game, which has led to a plethora of extra possessions.

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At 6-foot-9, Mitchell has only competed against KCC in his brief EASL tenure, and this matchup could prove to be a tough introduction to the league’s elite. Then again, his remarkable numbers suggest he’s prepared for the challenge.

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Meralco Bolts’ Players To Watch

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#25 Akil Mitchell — Center, 6-foot-9

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 25.0 points, 20.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Mitchell joined the Meralco Bolts in 2024
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
2023 All-Champions League Defensive Team with AEK Athens
2022 Greek League All-Star with AEK Athens
Mitchell played for the NBA G-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets, 2014-2015) and Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets, 2017-2018)
Mitchell went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft
2014 All-ACC Defensive Team
2013 Third-Team All-ACC
Mitchell attended the University of Virginia (2010-2014)
Mitchell is from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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#11 Chris Newsome — Guard, 6-foot-2

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 12.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists
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
Joined the Meralco Bolts in 2015
Selected as the 4th overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft
2014 National Collegiate Mythical Team
Newsome attended New Mexico Highlands and Ateneo de Manila
Newsome is from San Jose, California, USA.

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#9 DJ Kennedy — Forward, 6-foot-6

2024-25 EASL Averages: 21.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Joined the Meralco Bolts in 2024
2022 BIBL Champion with Hapoel Galil Elyon (Israel)
2019 Italian League Champion with Reyer Venezia (Italy)
2018 BCL Rebounding Leader with Pinar Karsiyaka (Turkey)
2018 BCL Star Lineup Best Team with Pinar Karsiyaka (Turkey)
2016 FIBA Europe Cup Starting Five with Enisey (Russia)
2015 All-BBL First Team with BG Ludwigsburg (Germany)
2015 BBL Best Offensive Player with BG Ludwigsburg (Germany)
2015 BBL Scoring Champion with BG Ludwigsburg (Germany)
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 St. John’s University (2007-2011)
Kennedy is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

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Ryukyu Golden Kings’ Players To Watch

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#14 Ryuichi Kishimoto — Guard, 5-foot-8

2024-25 EASL Averages: 12.8 points, 1.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE Averages: 11.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE All-Star
2022-23 B.LEAGUE Champion
2x bj League Champion (2013-14, 2015-16)
2013-14 bj League Playoff MVP
Joined the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2013.
Kishimoto attended Daito Bunka University
Kishimoto is from Nago City, Okinawa, Japan

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#45 Jack Cooley — Center, 6-foot-10

2024-25 EASL Averages: 18.8 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE Season Averages: 11.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE All-Star
2022-23 B.LEAGUE Champion
Joined the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2019
2019 FIBA Europe Cup Champion with Dinamo Sassari (ITA)
2012 Second-Team All-Big East with Notre Dame
2012 Big East Most Improved Player with Notre Dame
Cooley spent time with the Utah Jazz (2015) and the Sacramento Kings (2017-18) after going undrafted in 2013
Cooley attended the University of Notre Dame (2009-2013)
Cooley is from Evanston, Illinois, USA

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#53 Alex Kirk — Center, 6-foot-11

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE Season Averages: 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists
Kirk became a naturalized Japanese player before the start of the 2024-25 season
Joined the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2023
2019 FIBA Asia Champions Cup Champion
2019 FIBA Asia Champions Cup MVP
2-time B.LEAGUE Champion with the Tokyo Alvark (2018, 2019)
Kirk previously played for the B.LEAGUE’s Tokyo Alvark (2017-23)
Kirk previously played with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2014-15), and their G.League affiliate, the Canton Charge (2014-15)
Kirk went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft
2-time Mountain West Conference All-Defensive Team (2013, 2014)
2013 Second-Team All-Mountain West Conference
Kirk attended the University of New Mexico (2010-2014)
Kirk is from Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA

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Meralco Bolts By The Numbers

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Team History: