Game Notes: Group B – Meralco Bolts (0-2) vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (2-1)

EASL returns to Macau for first time since 2019

December 13, 2023 – Studio City Event Center, Macau‍

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‍Storylines

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Special night in store as EASL partners with Studio City‍

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This Wednesday, EASL returns to the venue where it staged its first-ever games. A special partnership between EASL and Melco Resorts & Entertainment will see this 2023-24 Season clash played at the spectacular Studio City resort in Macau. It will be the first EASL game in Macau since the Terrific 12 in 2019.

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PBA Governors’ Cup semifinalists Meralco Bolts face a mighty challenge as they take on Japan B.LEAGUE champions Ryukyu Golden Kings. The winless Bolts will look to build off a strong game against the New Taipei Kings on November 29. The PBA side held the lead against the Kings for three quarters of the game, before faltering in the final frame and losing 97-92.

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The Golden Kings got the better of the Bolts the first time around, winning handily at home, 89-61, on November 15. Since then, the B.LEAGUE West Division leaders have gone 4-1 domestically.

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Lofton coming off a 54-point effort‍

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Meralco recently signed import, Zach Lofton to replace injured star import Suleiman Braimoh. Braimoh tore his left Achilles during the team’s 97-94 PBA win over NLEX Road Warriors on December 3 and is set to miss the rest of the season.

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Since joining the team, Lofton has been impressive. In his Bolts debut against the Kings, in EASL, Lofton outscored Kings’ star Jeremy Lin for a game-high 35 points, on an efficient 58 percent clip.

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But it was Lofton’s PBA debut that put his name in the headlines as he recorded an absurd 54 points against North Batang Pier on December 10.

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The Bolts will lean heavily on Lofton’s offensive prowess as they search for their first EASL victory.

Vic Law is back‍

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The Golden Kings roster looks healthier after welcoming Vic Law back on December 2.

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Law had been out for six weeks with a left patellar ligament injury. The swingman was one of the team’s best players prior to the injury, averaging 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in his first five games in B.LEAGUE this season. Law also contributed 14 points and 12 boards in the Golden Kings’ EASL victory against Seoul SK Knights in October.

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Law is slowly getting back up to speed. In four games since his return, he has averaged 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds.

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‍By the Numbers

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‍Meralco Bolts

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- Team History:

Founded: 2010
Honors: 4x PBA Governors’ Cup runners-up (2015-16, 2016-17, 2019, 2021)

- 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup

Regular season record: 7-4
Playoffs: defeated Magnolia Hotshots 113-107 in Quarterfinals; loss to TNT Tropang Giga 3-1 in semifinals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 0-2

November 15, 2023: 89-61 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
November 29, 2023: 97-92 loss against New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Zach Lofton – 35.0 ppg
Rebounds: Prince Ibeh – 7.5 rpg
Assists: Chris Newsome – 3.5 apg
Steals: Prince Ibeh & Aaron Black – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Prince Ibeh – 2.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Home vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) – December 13, 2023
Home vs. Seoul SK Knights (KBL) – December 27, 2023
Home vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) – January 3, 2024
Away vs. Seoul SK Knights (KBL) – February 7, 2024

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season record: 5-1

November 8, 2023: 107-102 win over Rain or Shine
November 11, 2023: 91-84 win over Blackwater Bossing
November 19, 2023: 93-83 loss against San Miguel Beermen
November 26, 2023: 109-95 win over TNT Tropang Giga
December 3, 2023: 97-94 win over NLEX Road Warriors
December 10, 2023: 125-99 win over NorthPort Batang Pier

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season stat leaders:

Points: Zach Lofton – 54.0 ppg
Rebounds: Suleiman Braimoh – 12.0 rpg
Assists: Chris Newsome – 4.2 apg
Steals: Suleiman Braimoh – 2.2 spg
Blocks: Brandon Bates – 1.0 bpg

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‍Ryukyu Golden Kings

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- Team History:

Founded: 2007
2022-23 B.LEAGUE Champions
2018 EASL Super 8 Champions
4x Japan bj league Champions (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016)

- 2023 B.LEAGUE Champions

Regular season record: 48-12
B.LEAGUE West District Champions
Playoffs: defeated Nagoya Diamond Dolphins 2-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Yokohama B-Corsairs 2-0 in semifinals; defeated Chiba Jets 2-0 in B.LEAGUE Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 2-1

October 18, 2023: 80-79 win over Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
November 1, 2023: 82-69 loss against Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
November 15, 2023: 89-61 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Keita Imamura – 17.3 ppg
Rebounds: Vic Law – 13.0 rpg
Assists: Allen Durham – 6.5 apg
Steals: Jack Cooley – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Allen Durham & Jack Cooley – 1.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Away vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) – December 13, 2023
Away vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) – January 10, 2024
Home vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) – January 24, 2024

- EASL History:

2023 EASL Champions Week: Ryukyu Golden Kings went 2-1, defeating PBA side San Miguel Beermen 96-68 and P. LEAGUE+ side Taipei Fubon Braves 83-78 in the Group Stage. They lost to Bay Area Dragons 90-70 in the Third Place Game.
2019 Terrific 12 (an EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 0-2, falling to CBA side Shenzhen Aviators and PBA side San Miguel Beermen.
2018 Terrific 12 (EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 4-0, defeating the PBA D League All Stars and CBA side Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Group Stage. They defeated B.LEAGUE side Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in the semifinals before defeating CBA side Guangzhou Loong Lions in the Finals to win the tournament.
2017 Super 8 (EASL competition): Ryukyu Golden Kings went 3-2, defeating KBL side Goyang Orions, SBL (Super Basketball League – Chinese Taipei) side Taoyuan Pauian Archiland and CBA side Shenzhen Leopards in the Group Stage. They lost to CBA side Zhejiang Lions in the semifinals before losing to Goyang Orions in the Third Place Game.

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season record: 15-4