The Meralco Bolts will face some of Asia's top clubs later this month when they compete in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Meralco was bracketed in Group B of the eight-team tournament set Sept. 27 to Oct. 2 alongside defending champion Al-Riyadi of Lebanon, Japan's Alvark Tokyo and Thailand's Mono Vampire.
Placed in Group A are Iran's Petrochimi, China's Liaoning Flying Leopards, South Korea's SK Knights and Taiwan's Pauian Archiland.
Members of the PBA Board of Governors agreed Meralco's participation during its recent planning session in Las Vegas.
The Bolts are the first PBA team to join the annual tourney which the country last won in 1996 on home soil.
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Meralco is currently searching for a second import to partner with reigning Best Import Allen Durham. Teams are allowed to tap two foreign players for the tourney.
Bolts coach Norman Black and team manager Paolo Trillo said they are in search for a big man who can provide the needed presence in the paint.
Last year, the Philippine team led by import Isaiah Austin and Kiefer Ravena finished fifth in Chenzhou, China.(JT)
