Meralco, TNT fall to Ryukyu, Taipei Fubon in EASL tilt

Wins remain elusive for Philippine representatives in the East Asia Super League after Meralco and TNT fell to their respective foes on the road on Wednesday night.

The Bolts kicked off their campaign with an 89-61 loss to Japanese champion Ryukyu Golden Kings, who were led by former Meralco import Allen Durham as well as Filipino import Carl Tamayo. 

Durham torched his former team by unleashing 16 points spiked with nine rebounds, and six assists while Tamayo chipped in seven markers off the bench alongside three boards, two dimes, two steals, and one block as Ryukyu went 2-1. 

Meralco banked on Chris Newsome who dropped 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists while reinforcement Prince Ibeh and Cliff Hodge chimed in with ten markers each as they fell to 0-1.

Meanwhile, TNT remained winless in three games after being dealt a 106-97 loss by the Taipei Fubon Braves despite scoring eruptions from import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Quincy Miller 

Hollis-Jefferson detonated for 33 points alongside six rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, and two blocks while Miller dropped 34 markers, 10 boards, two denials, and dime but those weren't enough as the Tropang Giga went 0-3. 

Meralco will look to bounce back on November 29 against the New Taipei Kings while TNT takes on Anyang on December 6.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News