The East Asia Super League unveiled its schedule for the upcoming season on Friday.
In a surprising turn of events, the team listed to join TNT in the Asian club tournament is not Ginebra, but Meralco instead.
No official announcement has been made yet regarding why the Gin Kings withdrew from the tournament.
The Bolts reached the semifinals of the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup but lost to the Tropang Giga in four games.
The other semifinalist was the San Miguel Beermen.
Meralco is placed in a group with B.League champion Ryukyu, KBL runner-up Seoul SK, and P.League+ second-placer New Taipei.
The Bolts will kick off their campaign on November 15 with an away game against the Golden Kings.
They will then face the Kings again on November 29 in Taiwan and play Ryukyu, Seoul SK, and New Taipei at home on December 13, December 27, and January 3, respectively.
They will conclude their campaign with a game against the Knights on February 7 in South Korea.
Meanwhile, the Tropang Giga will start the tournament on October 11 against Chiba in Japan.
Their first home game will be against the same team on November 1.
The Tropang Giga will then travel to Taiwan on November 15 to face Taipei Fubon, head to Anyang to take on Anyang Jungkwanjang on December 5, and host the Braves on December 20.
They will wrap up their campaign against Anyang at home on January 24.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout playoffs, which are set to begin on March 8.
