Meralco’s struggles continue with second straight loss vs Taoyuan
What began as a season of high hopes is quickly unraveling for the Meralco Bolts. The squad absorbed its second straight defeat in the EASL Home and Away Season 3, falling to the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, 82-72, on Sunday at the Taoyuan Arena in Taipei.
Imports Ismael Romero and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the fightback with huge performances. Romero posting 26 points and 17 rebounds, and Hollis-Jefferson adding 22 markers, 14 boards, and four assists, but their efforts fell short after trailing by as much as 17.
Meralco now drops to 0-2 in Group B, a disappointing start for a team that entered the season with confidence, anticipating the arrival of Justin Brownlee, who has yet to join the roster.
Meanwhile, William Artino powered the Pilots with 20 points and 17 rebounds to lift them to a 2-0 record atop the group standings.
The Bolts also lost composure late in the first half when consultant Nenad Vucinic was ejected for back-to-back technical fouls, leaving coach Luigi Trillo to steer the team’s comeback attempt.
“We battled back and did enough to make it manageable,” said Trillo, as Meralco trimmed a 17-point deficit to just six in the final minute before running out of time.
