Powerhouse Brownlee–Hollis-Jefferson duo set to carry Meralco in EASL road debut

For the first time, two of the PBA’s most dominant imports—Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson—will join forces, suiting up together for the Meralco Bolts in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away Season 3.

The Bolts, the league’s lone Philippine representative, won’t have the luxury of easing into the tournament. Their opening games are on the road against seasoned semifinalists: the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Okinawa on October 22, followed by the Taoyuan Pilots in Taipei on November 2.

It’s a baptism of fire for Meralco, but also a proving ground for the Brownlee–RHJ tandem, who have a combined six Best Import awards between them. Filipino fans, however, must wait until November 8 to see the star duo together on home soil when the Bolts host the Pilots in the Philippines.

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The Meralco Bolts are returning to the East Asia Super League (EASL), and they are tapping rivals Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of TNT to reinforce their lineup.

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The schedule only grows tougher from there. The Bolts face the Macau Black Bears on November 15 before hitting the road again for a rematch in Macau on December 6. 

Their EASL run wraps up with a February 11 home clash against Ryukyu—potentially with playoff implications on the line.

EASL CEO Henry Kerins believes the Bolts’ journey offers a chance to rally fans behind Philippine basketball on the continental stage.

“I’m excited for those first games. That’s away game in Japan, that’s away game in Taipei. And when they come back in the Philippines and play those two home games in a row, I hope everybody comes out and support them,” Kerins said on SEAG Live.

The PBA is giving Meralco its full backing, allowing Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson to team up in a bid to chase not only regional pride but also the $1 million prize waiting for the EASL champion.

With their firepower, the Bolts may just transform from underdogs into contenders on Asia’s biggest stage.

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