Meralco backcourt crippled as Amer, Tolomia leave for SEA Games, but Black doesn't mind

The Meralco Bolts will be without point guards Baser Amer and Mike Tolomia for two weeks during the PBA Governors' Cup, as both players join the Gilas cadets team for the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur from August 18-30. They depart for Malaysia on Friday, forcing them to miss Meralco's game against the Phoenix Fuel Masters that same day at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Though Meralco only has one scheduled game during the SEA Games window, the absence of Amer and Tolomia will impact the team significantly, particularly after their recent 100-94 loss to NLEX—their first defeat in five tournament games. Head coach Norman Black acknowledged the challenge, stating, "Obviously, it’s gonna hurt us in our game against Phoenix."

The team faces additional setbacks with forward Cliff Hodge sidelined due to a severe ankle sprain and assistant coach Jimmy Alapag also absent as part of the Gilas cadets' coaching staff. Black emphasized the necessity of these sacrifices for national duty, noting, "It’s for the country so we have to deal with it... I’m very proud that we have two players in the national team."

Following the Phoenix matchup, Meralco enters a three-week break before resuming play against TnT Katropa on September 6.