Meralco falls to Ryukyu in EASL

Meralco absorbed an 89-71 defeat to the Japan's Ryukyu in the East Asia Super League on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

After ending the first period with a slim 23-22 lead, the Golden Kings pulled away in the second quarter to end the first half with a 50-41 advantage. The Japan-based team led by 23, 79-56, early in the fourth period before cruising to the victory.

Victor Law led Ryukyu with 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Alex Kirk and Keve Aluma chipped in 19 and 18 points, respectively, as the Golden Kings improved to 5-1 and secured the top seed of Group B.

Ange Kouame and Cliff Hodge had 13 points apiece to lead the Bolts who were sent to the brink of elimination as they slipped to 2-3.

The Bolts, however, will still face the New Taipei Kings (3-2) on February 12.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News