Push Admin

PBA: McDaniels looks forward to fresh start with Meralco

Article (news)

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="KJ McDaniels in action for Meralco in the Governors" Cup="" against="" Rain="" or="" Shine.="" PBA="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/sports/01/25/20230125-pba-kj-mcdaniels.jpg"/><figcaption>KJ McDaniels in action for Meralco in the Governors&#x27; Cup against Rain or Shine. PBA Images.</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- After playing just six games for Meralco in the 2022 PBA Commissioner&#x27;s Cup, KJ McDaniels is embracing his new opportunity with the Bolts in the season-ending Governors&#x27; Cup. McDaniels was brought in to replace Johnny O&#x27;Bryant III midway through the Commissioner&#x27;s Cup, but he went just 3-3 during his stint and Meralco wound up missing the playoffs. It did not help that the Bolts were without their team captain, Chris Newsome, for the bulk of the conference over calf injuries. Newsome has since returned to action and McDaniels has had the benefit of a longer preparation time with Meralco. As such, the American import is optimistic about their chances this time around.&quot;It&#x27;s a big confidence-booster for us, you know, me coming in the beginning,&quot; said McDaniels, who averaged 27.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in the Commissioner&#x27;s Cup.&quot;My teammates believe in me, I believe in my teammates, the coaching staff believes in me, and bringing me back, it&#x27;s a blessing,&quot; he added. &quot;Even though we didn&#x27;t finish the way we wanted to last conference, but we have a chance to re-start, come back with the right focus, and it&#x27;s a blessing, just being back, playing in the PBA.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/22/23/meralco-spoils-james-yaps-return-routs-rain-or-shine">GAME RECAP: Meralco spoils James Yap&#x27;s return, routs Rain or Shine</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/23/23/pba-chris-newsomes-return-a-boost-to-bolts-campaign">READ: Chris Newsome&#x27;s return a boost to Bolts&#x27; campaign</a></li></ul>McDaniels&#x27; second go-around with the Bolts got off to an auspicious start, as he tallied a massive 27-point, 23-rebound double-double in their 105-87 rout of Rain or Shine on Sunday. Interestingly, the result gave McDaniels a win over his former coach in the PBA, Yeng Guiao. The 29-year-old big man previously played for the NLEX Road Warriors in 2021.&quot;It feels good,&quot; McDaniels said of the win. &quot;That&#x27;s Coach Yeng, great coach. But we came out with a plan, executed it, and our coaches came out with the better game plan.&quot;He is quick to put the big win at the back of his mind, however, stressing that the Bolts must now build on their performance against the Elasto Painters. Meralco had five players in double-digits against Rain or Shine, including Chris Banchero with 17 points and Bong Quinto who provided 11 points in a reserve role. They also had a huge 64-43 rebounding advantage against the Elasto Painters.&quot;It starts in practice … We just have to take this game, learn from it, clean up a few things, and then just get ready for the next game,&quot; said McDaniels.Meralco&#x27;s next game is on Thursday against the NorthPort Batang Pier (0-1).<div>PBA Season 47 games can be streamed live and on-demand on iWantTFC with a Premium subscription, available worldwide except PH and US. </div>

After playing just six games for Meralco in the Commissioner's Cup, KJ McDaniels is embracing his new opportunity with the Bolts in the Governors' Cup. 

PBA: McDaniels looks forward to fresh start with Meralco

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

PBA: McDaniels looks forward to fresh start with Meralco

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 25, 2023 12:49 PM PHT

|

Updated January 25, 2023 12:50 PM PHT

Read More:

basketball

PBA

PBA Governors' Cup

Meralco Bolts

KJ McDaniels

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.