The Meralco Bolts are poised to make a significant impact on the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) 2025, entering the tournament in Dubai with a strong sense of determination following a near podium finish some six years prior. Their return to Asia's premier club competition is backed by a momentous achievement in their domestic league, setting the stage for an exciting campaign.

The Bolts secured their spot in BCL Asia after a historic triumph in the 2023-24 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season. After numerous heartbreaking runner-up finishes, the team finally captured their elusive first-ever PBA championship by defeating the San Miguel Beermen in a thrilling six-game series for the 2024 Philippine Cup crown. The decisive Game 6 was particularly memorable, with star guard Chris Newsome sealing an 80-78 victory with a clutch fallaway jumper from the baseline in the final seconds. This victory marked a significant milestone for the franchise, which joined the PBA in 2010 after acquiring an older PBA franchise, and has since steadily risen to become a perennial contender.

This upcoming BCL Asia campaign carries a personal dimension for Meralco. The club previously represented the Philippines in 2018 in Nonthaburi, Thailand, when the tournament was known as the FIBA Asia Champions Cup. During that outing, they demonstrated their potential by reaching the Semi-Finals. However, they narrowly lost to the eventual champions, Petrochimi of Iran, and subsequently fell to the Seoul SK Knights in the Third-Place Game, finishing fourth. This experience has undoubtedly fueled their desire for a stronger showing this time around.

A successful campaign for the Bolts would also be significant for Philippine basketball. The country has not secured a medal in this prestigious competition since 1996, when Hapee Toothpaste emerged as champions in Manila. The question looms: can Meralco break this long hiatus and bring home a medal from Dubai?

Leading the charge for Meralco will be Chris Newsome, the face of the team and the Finals MVP from their championship run, where he averaged an impressive 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. The Gilas Pilipinas guard is expected to be a pivotal figure for the Bolts in the 'City of Gold'.

However, Newsome is not alone. He is supported by a solid and experienced squad. Key among them are the veteran big men duo of Raymond Almazan and Cliff Hodge. Asian basketball enthusiasts might recognize Almazan from his previous stints with the Philippine national team, having competed in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 and in the FIBA Basketball World Cup two years later. Other integral players who were crucial to their maiden PBA title include guards Chris Banchero and Bong Quinto, both of whom are expected to make significant contributions in BCL Asia.

Furthermore, the Meralco squad has gained valuable international experience through their participation in the past two East Asia Super League (EASL) home-and-away seasons. This exposure to different styles of play and high-level competition means that opposing teams would be unwise to underestimate the Philippine champions as they vie for glory in BCL Asia 2025.