Nenad Vucinic urges quick chemistry as Brownlee, Hollis-Jefferson join Meralco for EASL run

For years, Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson stood on opposite sides of PBA’s fiercest battles. Now, they’re wearing the same colors.

Meralco consultant Nenad Vucinic knows that having two of the league’s most decorated imports on one roster is a rare luxury — but it also presents a unique challenge. With the East Asia Super League (EASL) tipping off later this month, he is urging the Bolts to find chemistry quickly.

“Getting Rondae and JB is a big help for us because we know the players very well. They know our team as well. It’s going to be very helpful. Thanks to Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text teams. Romero, we think, he is an experienced player that can help us a well,” said Vucinic, referring to Puerto Rican reinforcement Ismael Romero, who rounds out Meralco’s import trio.

The Bolts are set to open their campaign against the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Okinawa on October 22 before facing Taiwan’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots on November 2. The Macau Black Bears complete Group B.

Vucinic, however, admits the squad’s biggest opponent right now may be time. With the PBA’s 50th Season Philippine Cup beginning October 5, Meralco’s EASL roster has limited opportunities for tune-up games before plunging into the continental competition.

Justin Brownlee to wear No. 15 for Meralco Bolts in October’s EASL tournament pic.twitter.com/N3gj6Ifvmr

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“We are positive about the EASL this season. The reality is it’s a completely new team with three new players into our team. How quickly we can gel, how quickly we can build chemistry if we don’t have preseason games and tune-up games,” he said.

He stressed that the first two assignments are crucial: “We go straight into the games of the EASL season in Japan and Taiwan. If we go and lose both those games, it’s going to be very difficult for us. We have to try to win one of those.”

Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson are expected to arrive in the Philippines in the first week of October, with Romero coming off a stint for Libya’s Alahli SC in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

The Serbian mentor also underscored the significance of Brownlee being tapped as a naturalized player, allowing Meralco to maximize reinforcements.

“Last year, we had Ange Kouame. They have different positions so you can’t compare them. JB is a superstar here and a great player and a great person as well. For both Rondae and JB, we are quite happy to have them in our team,” Vucinic said.

And while Meralco is gearing up for a difficult test abroad, Vucinic hopes their campaign resonates with fans back home.

“Hopefully, we’ll get some Ginebra fans,” he added with a smile.

For the Bolts, the EASL isn’t just about wins and losses — it’s about uniting rivals, finding rhythm in a short window, and showing the region what Philippine basketball looks like when its best imports join forces. 

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