Chris Newsome ready to team up with Brownlee, Hollis-Jefferson in EASL

Meralco guard Chris Newsome is looking forward to sharing the floor with Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as the Bolts brace for the upcoming East Asia Super League (EASL) season.

The Bolts strengthened their roster by tapping Brownlee, Hollis-Jefferson, and Puerto Rican big man Ismael Romero as reinforcements for the 2025–26 campaign. Newsome, who has carried much of the load for Meralco in past tournaments, said he is comfortable adjusting his role with the arrival of the high-profile imports.

“I think the management did a great job of finding out what pieces that we need in order for us to get over that hump,” said Newsome. “I played alongside JB and I played against Rondae. And they are both some of the fiercest competitors that I’ve ever played against. And to have them come into our program and lead this team and show that competitiveness that has made them successful.” 

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Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson team up with Chris Newsome and the Meralco Bolts for the 2025-26 season of the East Asia Super League.

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Newsome has already played with Brownlee under Gilas Pilipinas, but this will be their first time teaming up in a Meralco uniform. Hollis-Jefferson, who previously played as a naturalized player for Jordan, will now suit up for the Philippines in the regional club league.

“Having those guys there, my role might change a little bit than it is in the PBA. I think that’s something that I’m used to doing with how I play. 

I’m a versatile player. I focus on defense a lot. If I have to play off ball, I can play off ball as well. If I need to be a point guard, I can be a point guard as well,” Newsome said.

The veteran guard stressed that defense will be the team’s main weapon heading into a tough group stage against the Ryukyu Golden Kings, Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, and Macau Black Bears.

“But the main thing is, I think for us, it’s being able to stop teams. And I think we got Rondae, who is a great defensive player. He is defensive minded. We have Ismael as well, who’s a big presence inside. So we really want to try to be able to stop teams. And I think that’s our priority is the defense more so than the offense,” he said.

Meralco begins its EASL run on October 22 against Ryukyu in Okinawa, followed by a clash with Taoyuan on November 2. The Bolts will then host their first home game on November 8 against the Pilots.

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