- Meralco Bolts
-
Meralco Bolts 
Joined PBA 2010 History Meralco Bolts
2010-PresentTeam colors Orange, Navy, and White
Owner(s) Manuel V. Pangilinan Board governor Ramon Segismundo Company Manila Electric Company Head coach 
Ryan GregorioChampionships none Uniforms 
Light uniform
Dark uniformThe Meralco Bolts[1][2] is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2010 when the Manila Electric Company bought the Sta. Lucia Realtors' franchise.[3]
Their current and first head coach is Ryan Gregorio.[4]
Contents
History
Meralco Reddy Kilowatts
In the late 1960s, Meralco was one of the pioneer members of the defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (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.
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. Lucia's or Barako Bull's franchise after both teams unloaded most of their major players[5]. 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."[6] 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 Cardona, 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.
2011 - 2012 season: Buffing up
Meralco overhauled immensely during the offseason, releasing Renren Ritualo, Hans Thiele, 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.
Current roster
Meralco Bolts rosterPlayers Coaches Pos. # POB Name Ht. Wt. College PF 0 Faundo, Bryan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Letran* PG 2 
Timberlake, Chris 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 184 lb (83 kg) North Florida* PG 3 Mercado, Solomon 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Biola University* C 5 
Taulava, Asi (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Brigham Young* PG 6 Ross, Chris 
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Marshall* F 7 Omolon, Nelbert 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) PCU* G/F 8 Yee, Mark 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) SSC-R Cavite* PF 10 Espinas, Gabby 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 194 lb (88 kg) PCU* F 12 Isip, Mark 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) FEU* SG 14 Cardona, Mark 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) De La Salle* F/C 15 Bulawan, Gilbert (R) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) San Sebastian* F 16 Borboran, Mark 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) UE* F/C 18 Ballesteros, Jason (R) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) San Sebastian* F 21 Hugnatan, Reynel 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) UM* PG 26 Lanete, Chico 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Lyceum* G/F 80 Macapagal, Mark 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) San Sebastian* - Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Boyet Fernandez (CSA-Bacolod*)
- Ronnie Magsanoc (UP Diliman*)
- Patrick Fran (UST*)
- Xavier Nunag
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (IN) Inactive
- (S) Suspended
- (I) - Import
- Injured
Season-by-season records
Main article: List of Meralco Bolts seasons- Records from the 2010–11 PBA season:
Conf. Team name Elimination round Playoffs Finish W L PCT Stage Results PHI Meralco Bolts 5th/10 7 7 .500 Quarterfinals B-Meg Derby Ace 2, Meralco 0 COM 8th/10 3 6 .333 Did not qualify GOV 8th/9 3 5 .375 Did not qualify Total elimination round 13 18 .419 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 *one-game playoffs
**team had the twice-to-beat advantageReferences
- ^ Meralco-Ginebra game to open PBA’s 36th season, GMANews.TV, August 24, 2010.
- ^ Consumers won't pay for Bolts, Sporting Chance by Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star, August 26, 2010.
- ^ http://www.pba-online.net/post/meralco-makes-power-move--joins-pro-league.html
- ^ PBA welcomes MVP’s Meralco, Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin, August 10, 2010
- ^ Meralco eyes cage return via PBA next season, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV, June 24, 2010
- ^ Barako to compete anew; SLR bids goodbye Rey Joble, GMANews.TV, July 13, 2010
External Links
Meralco Bolts Latest News and Updates
Meralco Bolts current roster Meralco Bolts Founded in 2010 • Owned by the Manila Electric Company The franchise Franchise • Draft history • Seasons • Current seasonCoaches 2010–11 • 2011–12 Philippine Basketball Association Alaska Aces Barako Bull Energy Barangay Ginebra Kings B-Meg Llamados Meralco Bolts Petron Blaze Boosters Powerade Tigers Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Shopinas.com Clickers Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters Seasons · Champions - The Grand Slam · Conferences: Philippine Cup - Commissioner's Cup - Governors Cup · Defunct teams · All-time team standings Players · MVP - Awards - Records - Current team rosters · D-League · Draft · All-Star Weekend · Hall of Fame · 25th anniversary all-time team · Jun Bernardino Trophy · The Leo · Venues · PBA on AKTV Category · Portal · 2011-12 season: Philippine Cup Categories:- Philippine Basketball Association teams
- Sports clubs established in 2010
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