Meralco Bolts
Encyclopedia
The Meralco Bolts is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association
founded in 2010 when the Manila Electric Company
bought the Sta. Lucia Realtors
' franchise.
Their current and first head coach is Ryan Gregorio
.
(MICAA), the premier amateur league of that time. Known as the Reddy Kilowatts, their roster then included future PBA Hall of Famers
Robert Jaworski
and Francis Arnaiz
among other notable professional cagers.
The team was disbanded in 1972 during the aftermath of the lifetime suspensions given to Robert Jaworski and Alberto "Big Boy" Reynoso. The former and the latter beat up the referees during a match against the Crispa Floro Redmanizers
during the 1972 MICAA All-Filipino Cup.
After their disbandment, its players were dispersed in 1973 to different teams. Jaworski, Reynoso (after their lifetime suspension was lifted later that year) and Arnaiz later joined the Komatsu Comets
. Eventually, most of the players of the original Meralco franchise were reunited at the Komatsu team (later renamed Toyota Comets) and together, with eight other MICAA teams, founded the Philippine Basketball Association
.
's or Barako Bull's franchise after both teams unloaded most of their major players. After Barako Bull informed the board that they intended to stay with the league for the 2010-11 season, Sta. Lucia then filed a "leave of absence." On August 10, the PBA board finally approved the sale of the Sta. Lucia franchise to Meralco.
, Asi Taulava
, Nelbert Omolon
, Marlou Aquino
, Beau Belga
, Dennis Daa
, Chris Ross
, Ogie Menor
, Pong Escobal
and Chris Pacana
. Shawn Weinstein
, Ford Arao
, Khasim Mirza
and Bam-bam Gamalinda
were the first players to be drafted by the franchise. They started the Philippine Cup with a win against the crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra Kings
. In the middle of the conference, they traded some of their players in exchange for Hans Thiele
, Mark Isip
and Reed Juntilla
respectively. They compiled a 7-7 record which was enough to take them to the quarterfinals. However, they lost to the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados 2-0. Before the Commissioner's Cup, they made a huge trade by acquiring Solomon Mercado
along with Paolo Bugia
and Erick Rodriguez. They also signed 3-point shooter Renren Ritualo. Despite a revamped roster and imports Anthony Dandridge and Chamberlain Oguchi
, they did not past the eliminations after having a 3-6 record. The same happened during the Governors Cup when they had a 3-5 record.
, Reed Juntilla
and Paolo Bugia
, as well as acquiring through trades Mark Yee
, Mark Macapagal
, Chico Lanete
, Chris Timberlake
and signing free agents Mark Borboran
and Bryan Faundo
. During the 2011 PBA Draft
, Meralco selected Gilas reserve Jason Ballesteros, as well as Gilbert Bulawan
to augment their frontline.
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
founded in 2010 when the Manila Electric Company
Meralco
The Manila Electric Company , also known as MERALCO or Meralco, is the Philippines' largest distributor of electrical power.The word MERALCO, is an acronym for Manila Electric Railroad And Light COmpany, which was the company's original name from 1903 to 1919.MERALCO is the Metro Manila's only...
bought the Sta. Lucia Realtors
Sta. Lucia Realtors
The Sta. Lucia Realtors was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association.The Universal Robina Corporation team is one of the founding members of the PBA. Formerly known as Great Taste and Presto-Tivoli Ice Cream, they have won a total of 6 championships. Sta...
' franchise.
Their current and first head coach is Ryan Gregorio
Ryan Gregorio
Paul Ryan C. Gregorio is a Filipino professional basketball head coach of the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association. He began his PBA head coaching job with the Purefoods TJ Giants in 2002 on an acting capacity and won his first PBA Championship on the same year at the age of 29...
.
Meralco Reddy Kilowatts
In the late 1960s, Meralco was one of the pioneer members of the defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic AssociationManila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association
The Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association is a defunct sports association which existed from 1938 to 1981. It is best known for its basketball league for amateur players....
(MICAA), the premier amateur league of that time. Known as the Reddy Kilowatts, their roster then included future PBA Hall of Famers
PBA Hall of Fame
The Philippine Basketball Association Hall of Fame is an institution that honors selected former players and personalities of the Philippine Basketball Association. It was launched in 2005 during the Reunion Game pitting two teams consisting of the PBA's 25th Anniversary All-Time Team...
Robert Jaworski
Robert Jaworski
Robert Salazar Jaworski , also known as Sonny Jaworski, Bobby Jaworski, Robert Jaworski, Sr. or simply Jawo, is a former Philippine senator, basketball coach and Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and PBA basketball player.Known as The Big J and called The Living Legend...
and Francis Arnaiz
Francis Arnaiz
Francis C. Arnaiz is a former Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He played for Toyota and Ginebra San Miguel from 1975-1986...
among other notable professional cagers.
The team was disbanded in 1972 during the aftermath of the lifetime suspensions given to Robert Jaworski and Alberto "Big Boy" Reynoso. The former and the latter beat up the referees during a match against the Crispa Floro Redmanizers
Crispa Redmanizers
The Crispa Redmanizers was a basketball team in the Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association , the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippine Amateur Basketball League from the 1960s to the early 1990s.- Profile and history :...
during the 1972 MICAA All-Filipino Cup.
After their disbandment, its players were dispersed in 1973 to different teams. Jaworski, Reynoso (after their lifetime suspension was lifted later that year) and Arnaiz later joined the Komatsu Comets
Toyota Super Corollas
The Toyota Super Corollas was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975-1983. The team had various monikers such as the Comets, the Silver Tamaraws, the Tamaraws, the Super Diesels, the Super Corollas and the Silver Coronas.Their nine PBA titles is the...
. Eventually, most of the players of the original Meralco franchise were reunited at the Komatsu team (later renamed Toyota Comets) and together, with eight other MICAA teams, founded the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
.
Sale of Sta. Lucia franchise
On June 2010, there were reports that Meralco expressed interest in joining the PBA and intended to buy either Sta. LuciaSta. Lucia Realtors
The Sta. Lucia Realtors was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association.The Universal Robina Corporation team is one of the founding members of the PBA. Formerly known as Great Taste and Presto-Tivoli Ice Cream, they have won a total of 6 championships. Sta...
's or Barako Bull's franchise after both teams unloaded most of their major players. After Barako Bull informed the board that they intended to stay with the league for the 2010-11 season, Sta. Lucia then filed a "leave of absence." On August 10, the PBA board finally approved the sale of the Sta. Lucia franchise to Meralco.
1st Season in the PBA
The Meralco Bolts entered the 2010-11 season with a lineup that included Mark CardonaMark Cardona
Mark "Macmac" Cardona is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association...
, Asi Taulava
Asi Taulava
Pauliasi M. Taulava also known as Asi Taulava is a American-born Filipino-Tongan professional basketball player playing in the Philippines for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association....
, Nelbert Omolon
Nelbert Omolon
Nelbert Omolon is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Meralco Bolts. He is a very versatile player who can score inside and outside, and can play multiple positions as well...
, Marlou Aquino
Marlou Aquino
Marlou B. Aquino is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who last played for the Meralco Bolts. Known by his moniker The Skyscraper, he is also known, along with Dennis Espino, as one-half of the so-called Twin Towers of the disbanded Sta...
, Beau Belga
Beau Belga
Beau Belga is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was the seventh overall draft pick by Purefoods in 2008 before being traded to Burger King. He played for the PCU Dolphins during his collegiate...
, Dennis Daa
Dennis Daa
Dennis Daa is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Shopinas.com Clickers. He was acquired by the Sta. Lucia Realtors in 2007 through free agency. In 2010, he was traded to the Energy Boosters in exchange for undrafted rookie...
, Chris Ross
Chris Ross (basketball)
Christopher Ross is a Filipino–American professional basketball player currently playing for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association. He plays the Point Guard position....
, Ogie Menor
Rogemar Menor
Rogemar "Ogie" Menor , is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Shopinas.com Clickers.-Career:...
, Pong Escobal
Pong Escobal
John Paul Escobal also known as Pong Escobal is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Shopinas.com Clickers in the Philippine Basketball Association, having played for Meralco Bolts. He played in San Beda's back-to-back-to-back titles in the NCAA...
and Chris Pacana
Chris Pacana
Ernani Christopher M. Pacana III , better known as Chris Pacana, is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who is in the inactive list of the Meralco Bolts. He was one of the factors of the championship run by the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the 2008 PBA...
. Shawn Weinstein
Shawn Weinstein
Shawn Weinstein is a Filipino-American professional basketball player who will play for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. He played 3 season for the St. Edwards University in the NCAA Men's Division and 2 season for the Elitzur Maccabi Netanya in the Ligat...
, Ford Arao
Ford Arao
Claiford Arao, also known as Ford Arao, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association who played for the Meralco Bolts. He was the fourteenth overall draft pick by Meralco in 2010. He played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles during his...
, Khasim Mirza
Khasim Mirza
Khasim Mirza is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Shopinas.com Clickers in the Philippine Basketball Association....
and Bam-bam Gamalinda
Riego Gamalinda
Riego "Bam-bam" Gamalinda is a Filipino professional basketball player who will play for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted 11th overall in 2010 by the Bolts...
were the first players to be drafted by the franchise. They started the Philippine Cup with a win against the crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
. In the middle of the conference, they traded some of their players in exchange for Hans Thiele
Hans Thiele
Hans Paul Thiele is a Filipino professional basketball player who is currently placed on the inactive list of the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was signed by the Energy Boosters in 2010 as a free agent. He was then traded to the Meralco Bolts for Dennis Daa...
, Mark Isip
Mark Isip
Mark Gracer Isip is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Meralco Bolts. He was drafted sixth overall by Sta. Lucia in 2006...
and Reed Juntilla
Reed Juntilla
Reed Juntilla is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who is currently on the inactive list of the Barako Bull Energy.-Player profile:...
respectively. They compiled a 7-7 record which was enough to take them to the quarterfinals. However, they lost to the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados 2-0. Before the Commissioner's Cup, they made a huge trade by acquiring Solomon Mercado
Solomon Mercado
Solomon Jemuel Mercado is a Filipino-American professional basketball player. He is currently playing for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was originally drafted by the Alaska Aces as the fifth pick in the 2008 PBA Draft...
along with Paolo Bugia
Paolo Bugia
Ramon Paolo V. Bugia is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He was drafted seventeenth overall by the Red Bull Barako in the 2005 PBA Draft.In his rookie year, He averaged 4.0 points per game and 2.6 rebounds...
and Erick Rodriguez. They also signed 3-point shooter Renren Ritualo. Despite a revamped roster and imports Anthony Dandridge and Chamberlain Oguchi
Chamberlain Oguchi
Chamberlain Oguchi is a Nigerian American basketball player. He is a 6'6", 200 pound guard-forward who most recently played as an import for the Meralco Bolts of the PBA. Oguchi played for the University of Oregon for three years before transferring to Illinois State University in 2007...
, they did not past the eliminations after having a 3-6 record. The same happened during the Governors Cup when they had a 3-5 record.
2011 - 2012 season: Buffing up
Meralco overhauled immensely during the offseason, releasing Renren Ritualo, Hans ThieleHans Thiele
Hans Paul Thiele is a Filipino professional basketball player who is currently placed on the inactive list of the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was signed by the Energy Boosters in 2010 as a free agent. He was then traded to the Meralco Bolts for Dennis Daa...
, Reed Juntilla
Reed Juntilla
Reed Juntilla is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who is currently on the inactive list of the Barako Bull Energy.-Player profile:...
and Paolo Bugia
Paolo Bugia
Ramon Paolo V. Bugia is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He was drafted seventeenth overall by the Red Bull Barako in the 2005 PBA Draft.In his rookie year, He averaged 4.0 points per game and 2.6 rebounds...
, as well as acquiring through trades Mark Yee
Mark Yee
Mark Yee is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association. He plays the Small Forward position.-External links:...
, Mark Macapagal
Mark Macapagal
Mark Macapagal is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing with the Meralco Bolts. He plays the shooting guard and small forward positions....
, Chico Lanete
Chico Lanete
Chico Lanete , from Ormoc City, Philippines, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association. He grew up in Isabela, Basilan and then played for Southern City Colleges in Zamboanga City during college before moving to Lyceum of the...
, Chris Timberlake
Chris Timberlake
Chris Timberlake is a Filipino-American professional basketball player in the Philippines who currently plays for the Meralco Bolts...
and signing free agents Mark Borboran
Mark Borboran
Mark Anthony Rosales Borboran is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Meralco Bolts....
and Bryan Faundo
Bryan Faundo
Bryan Faundo is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Letran Knights:...
. During the 2011 PBA Draft
2011 PBA Draft
The 2011 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event, which allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. The event will be held at Robinson's Place Ermita in Manila on August 28, 2011...
, Meralco selected Gilas reserve Jason Ballesteros, as well as Gilbert Bulawan
Gilbert Bulawan
Gilbert Bulawan is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted 12th overall in 2011 by the Aces.-College career:...
to augment their frontline.
Season-by-season records
- Records from the 2010–11 PBA season:
*one-game playoffsConf. |Team name | Elimination round | Playoffs Finish |W |L |PCT |Stage |Results PHI 2010–11 PBA Philippine Cup-San Miguel vs. Air21:-B-Meg Derby Ace-Meralco series:-Barangay Ginebra-Alaska series:-Talk 'N Text-B-Meg Derby Ace series:-San Miguel-Barangay Ginebra series:-Finals:-Conference records:-Team:-Individual:-Conference:...
Meralco Bolts 5th/10 7 7 .500 Quarterfinals B-Meg Derby Ace 2, Meralco 0 COM 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup-Air21-Alaska series:-Talk 'N Text-Air21 series:-Smart Gilas-Barangay Ginebra series:-Finals:- Imports :The following is the list of imports, which had played for their respective teams at least once, with the returning imports in italics...
8th/10 3 6 .333 Did not qualify GOV 2011 PBA Governors Cup- Imports :The following is the list of imports, which had played for their respective teams at least once, with the returning imports in italics. Highlighted are the imports who stayed with their respective teams for the entire conference....
8th/9 3 5 .375 Did not qualify Total elimination round 13 18 0 semifinal appearances Total playoffs 0 2 .000 |0 Finals appearances Total 2010–11 13 20 .394 |0 championships Total franchise 13 20 .394 |0 championships
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage