[Exclusive] For Chris Newsome, Meralco Bolts' Defense Will Dictate Their Game Against Busan KCC Egis At EASL Clash Of Champions

The Meralco Bolts are looking to get their second dub on Wednesday, 8:10 PM, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Philippines, as they face KBL champions Busan KCC Egis for the first-ever EASL Clash of Champions Manila.

The 2024 PBA Philippine Cup champions won their EASL season opener in Manila against the Macau Black Bears on October 3. However, the Ryukyu Golden Kings defeated the Meralco Bolts two weeks later in Okinawa, Japan.

"We dropped to a close one to Ryukyu [Golden Kings], but you know, we got a chance to bounce back this Wednesday against KCC," the Meralco Bolts captain said after holding his very first fan event on Saturday at the Meralco gym. "They're the champions in Korea. It's not gonna be an easy game by any means."

Meanwhile, Busan KCC Egis have yet to get their first victory in the EASL after losing to the Macau Black Bears on November 6.

The Meralco Bolts may have the luxury of a weeks-long rest since their game in Okinawa last month but that could also be the deciding factor against a battle-tested team like KCC.

"I mean, it's tough because we don't have any other games that we're playing and the EASL schedule is so spread out. We are doing our best to emulate the game situations right here in practice. So, we're pushing the ball and even the coaches are telling us to take quick 3s and that's how the Korean team plays," Newsome admitted. "We're doing our best to scout and kind of, do what we can to bring that same energy to practice. Of course, we just have to go out there and play. We know that KCC, they have, maybe like, four, five, games that they've had before playing us since our last game. So that's a big window."

"A lot of games for them and not so many for us. Of course, you can either come out rusty or well-rested. And for them, you know, they can come out beat up or they can come out battle-tested and ready to go. So, it really just comes down to who wants to come out to play and like I said, it's about who's gonna give that first punch and I wanna be that team to dictate how things will go." he added.

Meralco's defense will be tested again against the firepower of KCC on Wednesday at the EASL Clash of Champions.

"We know Koreans are capable of shooting that ball," the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals MVP said. "So, we're gonna have to defend the three-point line well and [we'll] just let our defense dictate how we're gonna play that game."