At A Glance
- Luigi Trillo admits Meralco will be up for a tough mission in the 2023 Doha International Basketball but believes it is exactly what his teams needs as they prepare for the upcoming PBA and East Asia Super League seasons.
Luigi Trillo admits Meralco will be up for a tough mission in the 2023 Doha International Basketball but believes it is exactly what his teams needs as they prepare for the upcoming PBA and East Asia Super League seasons.

The Bolts are bracing for a busy schedule in the tournament where they are set to play at least five games in six days from Sept. 25 to 30.
"It's gonna be tough, hard, uncomfortable but that's what we want," said Trillo, whose Bolts will be locking horns against top club teams from the Middle east.
The Bolts are drawn in the Group B of the tournament, joining Alzamalek from Egypt, Al Arabi FC from Kuwait and Al Ahly from Libya.
"We want to put them there, we want to let them feel that and I think anything of that can bring out what they're about," he added.
Meralco needs to finish at least in the top two spots of the group standings to get an outright semis seat. Regardless of their group stage results though, the Bolts will still be playing in the final two days of the tournament.
"We're gonna give our best and those are Middle Eastern teams, Lebanese teams are very good, Egypt is good. We're excited to learn from it and give it our best with one import," added Trillo.
The Bolts will be without star guard Chris Newsome who will still be with Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games but the team is set to be bannered by 6-foot-8 import Ferron Hunt.
Also joining the crew are Meralco's top two picks in the Season 48 Rookie Draft Brandon Bates and Jolo Mendoza.
Trillo, who will be joined by team consultant Nenad Vucinic at the sidelines, is tempering expectations for the Bolts.
"Manalo, matalo, important is they learn coach Nenad’s system and show that they have something to give also, but it's a chance for them to be put in that and we welcome that. I think it's the best thing for those rookies," he added.