Meralco is set to compete in the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) in Dubai, formerly known as the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, from June 7-13. The team has enlisted a strong lineup of imports to bolster their chances in this prestigious regional club competition.

Leading the import roster is John Egbunu, a 6-foot-11 Nigerian center and a former standout from the University of Florida. Egbunu, who last played for Napoli in the Italian league, brings experience from various international leagues, including stints in Asia with Busan in the KBL, and Ningbo and Shanghai in the CBA. With Napoli, he averaged 7.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He will join the team directly in Dubai.

Joining Egbunu are two other foreign players: Glynn Watson and Jordon Varnado. Jordon Varnado, a 6-foot-6 forward, recently played for Promitheas Patras in the Greek league, where he averaged 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and one block per game. Varnado also has prior BCL experience, having played in BCL Europe with Patras, averaging 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and one block, and demonstrating strong outside shooting with a 40% three-point percentage.

Glynn Watson, a 6-foot point guard, last played for Gravelines in the French league. He previously played in Greece for Kolossos Rodou. At Gravelines, Watson averaged 16.3 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal per game last season, highlighted by a 48-point performance in a triple-overtime game. Both Varnado and Watson have already practiced with the Bolts before the team's departure on Thursday, according to team manager Paolo Trillo.

Meralco's local contingent includes Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Chris Newsome, Bong Quinto, Cliff Hodge, Raymond Almazan, Aaron Black, Chris Banchero, Norbert Torres, Alvin Pasaol, and rookie CJ Cansino. Newsome, Hodge, and Banchero have been cleared to play as locals in the BCL Asia. The final team lineups were submitted to FIBA on Tuesday.

Meralco is placed in Group B, alongside formidable opponents such as the newly-crowned B. League champion Utsunomiya Brex and last year’s BCL Asia runner-up Shabab Al Ahli. The Bolts are scheduled to play their first game on the opening day, Saturday, against Shabab Al Ahli.