Meralco Coach Dismisses Taoyuan Protest Following EASL Win
Meralco Bolts coach Luigi Trillo remains confident that the protest filed by the Taoyuan Pilots will not succeed after his team defeated the Taiwanese squad 85-76 in their East Asia Super League (EASL) matchup. The game took place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Ilagan Sports Complex in Isabela.
The Controversial Incident
Following the match, the Pilots immediately filed a formal protest citing a rules violation by the Bolts. The controversy centered around a moment when Meralco allegedly fielded four imported players simultaneously, which contravenes EASL regulations regarding foreign player limitations.
Coach Trillo acknowledged the incident occurred but characterized it as an "honest mistake" rather than intentional rule-breaking. He explained that his team is still adapting to the specific regulations of the international tournament and lacked familiarity with the league's precise rules.
Missed Opportunities for Immediate Resolution
Trillo pointed out that the Pilots had an opportunity to address the issue during the game itself. "At that moment, the Pilots could have complained to have us assessed a technical foul, but the visiting team did not do this," the coach stated.
He further noted that the technical officials present during the game also had the authority to call a technical foul against the Bolts for the violation but chose not to intervene at the time.
Despite the ongoing protest proceedings, the Meralco Bolts have already shifted their focus to their next challenge. The team is preparing to face the Macau Black Bears in their upcoming EASL match scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the historic Cebu Coliseum.
The outcome of the Pilots' protest remains uncertain, but Coach Trillo and his squad are moving forward with their tournament preparations, determined to build on their current momentum in the East Asia Super League competition.
