MANILA – The East Asia Super League (EASL) has penned Oct. 12 for its inaugural staging.
The international basketball league announced on Tuesday that its first season will begin on the said date with eight of the top teams in the region competing in home-and-away action.
Confirming its participation are the Seoul SK Knights and Anyang KGC from the Korean Basketball League, Utsonomiya Brex and Ryukyu Golden Kings of the B. League, and the Bay Area Dragons from Greater China.
Three more spots are to be determined, the finalists of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup and the champion of the P League+.
The Taipei Fubon Braves and Hsinchu JKO Lioneers are currently facing off in the P League Finals with both teams splitting the first two games of their best-of-seven series.
Game 3 is scheduled on Thursday night in Taipei.
In line with the new season, the group draw is set next Tuesday at the Shangri-La Fort in Taguig.
The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four.
The teams will play a double-round-robin preliminary phase within their groups.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the semis, and the two surviving clubs fighting for the championship and the USD1 million prize money at stake.
The PBA Board of Governors led by chairman Ricky Vargas, commissioner Willie Marcial, and the league’s management committee have been invited to attend the ceremony.
Barangay Ginebra governor and San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua will represent the PBA in the EASL Advisory Board. (PNA)
