The Meralco Bolts. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – The Meralco Bolts will be donning new threads in the PBA's 50th season.
Chris Newsome and the Bolts showed off their new jerseys for the first time, during the second day of PBA Media Day on Friday.
Newsome welcomed the change, proudly rocking the new threads. "It’s definitely a new look for us. Never have donned black jerseys. You can tell they’re really lightening things up with the blue," he said.
The black jersey has blue accents and linings, a first for the Meralco franchise. According to a press release, the special black edition is in commemoration of the PBA's golden year.
"Me being a Blue Eagle, I think it’s fitting. I think it’s bagay for me to have blue and a little bit of orange. I just like the look overall," the Ateneo de Manila University product shared.
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The new threads also feature a "refreshed team logo" to mark the 15th year of the franchise.
"The Bolts unveiled a new logo as a symbol to recharge, reenergize, and recommit to their team identity that is built on hardwork, togetherness, fighting spirit, sportsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence," the team said in a statement.
Newsome reacted to some people comparing the jersey to that of the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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"A lot of people say it kinda reminds them of OKC. I don't mind getting that comparison 'cause they won the NBA championship last year. So maybe that might go our way this year if everyone stays healthy as well," he said.
Veteran sniper Allein Maliksi echoed Newsome's sentiment on the black jerseys.
"I'm excited to wear itong bagong jersey, bagong uniform, bagong color way. Nagandahan kaming lahat sa outcome ng bagong design. So yun excited kami na different feel," he said.
Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo also welcomed the change for the new season, where they aim to improve on their consecutive quarterfinals finishes last season.