Meralco can finally field all its stars for the Basketball Champions League Asia 2025 now that they’ve been cleared to play as locals by FIBA.
Cliff Hodge and Chris Banchero are both declared eligible according to head coach Luigi Trillo, a development that would definitely boost their chances in the June 9-15 showpiece where champion clubs from across Asia will compete.
“I think it’s already been cleared up that they’ve been in the league long enough: 10 years,” he told reporters moments after their 101-84 defeat to TNT in a PBA Philippine Cup affair on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Not to be forgotten, of course, is main man Chris Newsome, who was finally recognized as a local in 2022, paving the way for him to play for Gilas Pilipinas without being subject to the restriction provided for in FIBA Article 3-21a.
“So Hodge will be able to play, Banchero will play, New can play because he’s with the national team,” the veteran bench tactician said.
Both men have been playing in the league for over 10 years now.
The bruising big man from Florida, for one, joined the stacked 2012 Draft following a solid career in the D-League and was picked fourth overall by the Bolts.
The Seattle-born playmaker followed suit in 2014 after his ABL stint and went on to be selected at no. 5 by the now-defunct Alaska franchise.
Now they’re classified as locals in club tournaments, which is indeed good news for Meralco after playing with basically its second unit during the 2018 edition of the tournament, when it was still known as the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
(C) PBA Images
Still, Meralco managed to reach the semifinals and ultimately finished fourth in the six-team field, eventually lorded over by Petrochimi of Iran.
“Last time we played, I think Hodge and Newsome and Dillinger weren’t allowed, ‘di ba, but we ended fourth there,” recalled Trillo. “It was more or less some of our second unit there. But ngayon, pinayagan na sila.”
While the core is all set to compete, Australian-born Brandon Bates won’t be allowed to play just yet in the tournament, where the winner will earn the right to represent Asia in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, FIBA’s highest club competition.
“The guy who won’t be allowed, I think, so far, is Brandon because he’s new,” said Trillo as the defensive-minded center is only in his sophomore year.
Still, it’s going to be practically the same team that the defending Philippine Cup champions have been going with this season, with the Bolts shopping around for available reinforcements to bolster their bid.
“I think we’re allowed to bring three imports and nine locals. We’re gonna get good imports. We’re gonna look around,” said Trillo.
“There are a lot of leagues ending now but it’s gonna be how much can we run, how much Coach Nenad can run with his system, so we’re helping each other.”
Meralco will have its hands full in the BCL Asia as it is joining the champion teams from the B.League, KBL, and the CBA, in addition to two clubs from the FIBA West Asia Super League and from the BCL Asia-East as well.
Al Riyadi are the defending champions after a mighty five-game sweep of the 2024 meet held in Dubai, with main man Wael Arakji earning MVP honors.
#WATCH: Coach Luigi Trillo bares Meralco’s plans heading into the upcoming #BCLAsia campaign 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times #PBA2025 pic.twitter.com/nhZT5rsnLI
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 11, 2025
