MANILA, Philippines – At the Okinawa Arena in Japan on Wednesday night, the Meralco Bolts lost to the Ryukyu Golden Kings 77-74, their first loss in Season 2 of the East Asia Super League (EASL). The Golden Kings, who finished second in the Japan B. League the previous season, showed strength and tenacity by containing Meralco’s late-game comeback to win by a slim margin.

In the second quarter, Ryukyu dominated the game with a flurry of three-pointers that made it difficult for Meralco to keep up. The Golden Kings led 51-35 at the half after outscoring the Bolts 28-17 in that quarter. Meralco made a strong comeback in the last quarter, but the deficit was too great. Although the Bolts strengthened their defense and executed their offensive better, Ryukyu was able to fend them off in the final minutes.

Ryukyu was led by former Orlando Magic player Victor Law, who finished the game with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. With 18 points and seven rebounds, Jack Cooley made a substantial contribution as well. Ryukyu rookie Alex Kirk also added 12 points. One of the main reasons the Golden Kings won was their ability to control the boards and make outside shots on a regular basis.

After defeating the Macau Black Bears earlier in the season, the Bolts enjoyed a great start to their EASL campaign, and the loss was a disappointing conclusion to that start. Local star Chris Newsome and Meralco’s imports Allen Durham and David Kennedy led the charge in the closing stages, but their combined efforts were insufficient.

The Meralco Bolts had high expectations going into their second East Asia Super League (EASL) game after defeating the Macau Black Bears in their season opener. However, the team’s encouraging start was cut short when they lost 77-74 to the Ryukyu Golden Kings at Okinawa Arena. Chris Newsome and imports Allen Durham and David Kennedy put on impressive efforts, but Meralco couldn’t overcome Ryukyu’s decisive surge in the second quarter.

Yoshiya Uematsu and Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki each scored nine points as the Golden Kings dominated the second quarter with blazing three-point shooting. Ryukyu outscored the Bolts 28–17 during this offensive outburst, securing a comfortable 51–35 advantage at the half.

Durham, Newsome, and Kennedy worked together to narrow the difference as Meralco made a late-game surge in the closing seconds, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Meralco suffered his first loss of the season after Durham, who was playing against his old team, missed a critical three-pointer right before the buzzer. The Bolts continue their campaign with optimism in spite of the defeat.

The Bolts failed to provide a worthy response to their 97-85 victory against the Macau Blackbears in the season opener at the Mall of Asia Arena, as DJ Kennedy led the team with 30 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort that saw them drop to an even 1-1 card.

Together with Chris Newsome, who also scored 18 points, Allen Durham led the Meralco Bolts in a valiant comeback effort. In the closing seconds of the game, Durham, David Kennedy, and Bong Quinto helped the Bolts launch a late comeback. With 20 seconds left, the trio’s 8-0 run reduced Ryukyu’s advantage from 11 points to only 77-74.

Durham, 36, was playing his old team for the first time, which made the game more poignant. However, he missed a game-tying three-pointer right before the buzzer, narrowly losing the chance to force OT despite his best efforts, which included a pivotal final possession. Following a solid start against the Macau Black Bears, his missed attempt resulted in Meralco’s first defeat of the East Asia Super League (EASL) season. Durham’s leadership and tenacity kept the Bolts competitive until the very end, even though they lost.

Scores at the end of the match

Ryukyu with 77 points for the win

Individual scores: Law 18, Cooley 18, Kirk 12, Eumatsu 9, Matsuwaki 9, Waki 6, Kishimoto 3, Arakawa 2, Onodera 0

Meralco with 74 points

Individual scores: Kennedy 30, Durham 14, Newsome 14, Kouame 4, Quinto 4, Bates 0, Almazan 0, Caram 0

Scores per quarter

23-18; 51-35; 66-57; 77-74