Meralco Bolts Look to Cebu for Homecourt Advantage
The management of Meralco Bolts is seriously considering making Cebu their designated homecourt for upcoming East Asia Super League (EASL) matches. This strategic move would mean that if the Bolts host games in the home-and-away format tournament, they would bring these international basketball events to the Queen City of the South.
Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo explained the reasoning behind this potential decision during an interview last Friday while the team was practicing at Cebu Coliseum. "There's already plenty of basketball happening in Manila, so it would be better here in Cebu. We know how supportive Cebuanos can be when it comes to basketball," Coach Trillo stated.
Coach's Personal Connection to Cebu Basketball
Trillo brings firsthand experience of Cebu's passionate basketball culture from his time as assistant coach for the Cebu Gems in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). He vividly remembers the intense atmosphere during games, particularly the heated matchups between Cebu Gems and rivals like Negros Slashers and Manila Metro Stars.
"I know the Cebu crowd and how they are - very smart when it comes to basketball," Trillo shared. "With the New Cebu Coliseum, it's nice. I hope they support us, and we'll give our best." The coach expressed his approval of the upgraded Cebu Coliseum, noting significant improvements since his Cebu Gems days in 1999 when the venue was known for being extremely hot with cramped seating arrangements.
Management Confirmation and Considerations
The plan received additional confirmation from Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo, brother of Coach Luigi, who verified that establishing Cebu as their homecourt is indeed part of their strategy. However, the final decision rests with Meralco's top management and requires approval from EASL organizers.
One potential challenge mentioned involves convincing top management, particularly since Meralco doesn't have a company presence in Cebu. Under the EASL's home-and-away format, each team gets three opportunities to host games during the elimination round, excluding potential semifinals or final rounds if the team advances.
If realized, this development would bring international basketball entertainment with a distinct flavor to Cebu, providing local fans with premium basketball action and strengthening Cebu's position as a major sports destination in the Philippines.
