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\nMeralco hosts Busan KCC Egis in an East Asia Super League (EASL) clash on Wednesday night, eager to use the match as some form of an advantage for the Bolts heading into the PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup.
\u201cThe one thing that teams suffer from is that they normally get imports the last week before a new conference starts. The EASL has allowed us to take a look at guys who can be imports in the PBA,\u201d head coach Luigi Trillo told the Inquirer on the eve of the homestand that tips off 8:10 p.m. at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Meralco has done just exactly that and will be unveiling on Wednesday night Akil Mitchell, a Panamanian standout who is also set to serve as the Bolts\u2019 import in the next PBA conference which unfurls Nov. 27.
Trillo said that Mitchell can play defense as well as Su Braimoh, Meralco\u2019s import who steered the Bolts to a 4-1 record in the last Commissioner\u2019s Cup before going down with an achilles injury.
\u201cSu\u2019s a specialist in the perimeter. Akil\u2019s more of an undersized five. And at four or five, he\u2019s athletic. He can move, face the basket, pivot and post up (opponents) while running the floor very well. His defense is at par with Su\u2019s,\u201d the champion coach said.
\u201cThough I think we\u2019re fortunate to get Akil now because he\u2019s still in his prime at 32 (years old.) We had Su a little bit older at 34, 35,\u201d Trillo went on. \u201cWe\u2019re excited for him because he can also play pick-and-roll defense and is a motor guy like Cliff (Hodge).
As high as he is on his new reinforcement, Trillo said the 1-1 (win-loss) Bolts are wary of the test that the breakthrough-seeking visitors will pose as they are the champions of the Korean Basketball League after all.
\u201cThey are not as big as Macau,\u201d he said, referring to the Black Bears whom his charges handily beat back on their home turf back in October.
\u201c[Busan KCC] is more small-ball [with] this one big [man] \u2026 [and] they play a bit like Ginebra where they break you down towards the end.\u201d<\/p>\n