Meralco will be parading a pair of African stars when it sees action in Season 2 of the East Asia Super League and the Philippine Basketball Association.
Sulieman Braimoh of Nigeria will take over the spot of Feron Hunt when the Bolts compete in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup starting 5 November at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Then, a familiar competitor in Prince Ibeh of Rwanda will join him in the EASL, forming a dreaded African connection.
“Feron Hunt played decently but we feel that he’s not a good fit to our team,” said Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo, whose brother, Luigi, will call the shots starting Season 48.
Braimoh is a 33-year-old, 6-foot-8 forward, who won championships and a Most Valuable Player crown in Israel a few years ago.
His last stint was in Maccabi Tel Aviv that came at the heels of memorable stints in the European circuit, including Spain and Turkey.
Ibeh, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Bolts as he suited up for NorthPort in 2019 and 2022. He will serve as import when the Bolts compete in the EASL as replacement for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Meralco’s first game in the EASL will be against Japan B. League champion Ryukyu Golden Kings on 15 November.
The Golden Kings will be bannered by Allen Durham, who led the Bolts to three finals appearances while winning three Best Import honors.
Ryukyu will also have former Gilas Pilipinas player Carl Tamayo.
In the PBA, the Bolts will start seeing action on 8 November where they clash with Rain or Shine in the main game of the scheduled double-header at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
