Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s all-around effort wasn’t enough to lift Meralco to victory, as the Bolts bowed to the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 81-72, in their East Asia Super League opener on Wednesday at the Okinawa Suntory Arena.
The three-time PBA Best Import did everything he could in his Bolts debut, posting 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
But Meralco faltered in the clutch, missing Justin Brownlee and Sina Vahedi.
Puerto Rican import Ismael Romero added a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Newsome chipped in 12 points, five assists, and three boards.
Rookie CJ Cansino also added 11 points.
Despite being short-handed, Meralco kept pace with the B.League runners-up for most of the contest.
Newsome’s triple with just over two minutes remaining trimmed the deficit to two, 74-72, igniting hopes of a comeback.
But Ryukyu responded.
Ryo Sadohara buried five straight points — a pair of free throws followed by a dagger three-pointer — to give the home team a 79-72 cushion.
Hollis-Jefferson tried to answer from deep but came up empty, and Ryuichi Kishimoto iced the game with two free throws to seal the deal.
Kishimoto spearheaded Ryukyu’s balanced attack with 22 points, eight assists, and four steals, as the Golden Kings improved to 1-1 in Group B after an opening loss to the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.
Alex Kirk and Jack Cooley got 17 and 12 points, respectively, while combining for 36 reobounds.
The Bolts (0-1) will look to regroup when they visit the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in Taiwan on November 2.
The Scores
Ryukyu 81 – Kishimoto 22, Kirk 17, Sadohara 16, Cooley 12, Sakihama 6, Arakawa 3, Onodera 2, Matsuwaki 2, Whitaker 1, Taira 0.
Meralco 72 – Hollis-Jefferson 25, Romero 13, Newsome 12, Cansino 11, Quinto 2, Black 2, Maliksi 0, Bates 0.
Quarterscores: 14-18, 37-36, 59-56, 81-72.
