East Asia Super League

[hmbopbaduwap]

New addition for the Bay Area Dragons

Hayden Blankley(Chinese-Aussie) 6'6 SG
Zhu Songwei 6'7 Forward
Ju Mingxin 6'7 Forward
Liu Xiaoyu 6'1 PG

https://www.facebook.com/10657662864...Kivfn6JZ7Ukrl/



Big Liu making Ato Ular look like a point guard Lol

[hmbopbaduwap]

Chinese-Aussie guard Hayden Blankley highlights

[CoJ]

[IMG][/IMG]

as robert had mentioned weeks ago, as the SBP widened the pool, TNT has now the green light to compete in the EASL, which begs the question, will this be a priority for Chot?

[IPC]

EASL has light schedule... Comm Marcial says that they will adjust their PBA schedule for 2 teams who will play for EASL... So that means no problem for Chot and TNT there... But for sure TNT players plus another team will join might not required to play for Gilas since those players will have extra workload already...

Gotta admit, you called it, despite the lack of an article. Good luck to TNT.

[jasper222]

Goodluck to all PBA teams out there... I will watch some of their games next conference and teach those tactical immatured coaches here a leeson how to be a "real" coach... They are easy favorites to win Commissioners cup trophy, unless PBA team will do ala "Burger King" like physicality to the visitors...

The refs will certainly be giving special favors to the PBA teams, sadly. Let's not kid ourselves, backroom deals and ego preserving is the name of the game in the current era of the PBA.

[Rodbi]

I think the inclusion of the Bay Area Dragons to compete in the PBA and allowed a chance to win the Commissioner's Cup, might be one of the best and more progressive things to come out from the people running the PBA in a long while. While I have not read a news stating that PBA teams will be allowed to field 2 imports each for the 2nd conference, is there already a press release from the league about the per-game roster make-up for the Dragons team, with their 2 or 3 world imports? I think they should only be allowed to use a world import rotation, allowing only 1 per game, to make thw competition seem more balanced.

[magic_chiongson]

I want SMB to win to qualify too in EASL, TNT and SMB is our best bet to play here... Nothing against Meralco, but PBA needs better representation in this new EASL format... Ginebra could be a better candidate too, But they sucks in AFC conference...

if they get 2 world imports any of the top 4 teams can be competitive imo

[Rodbi]

PBA should do this more in next couple of seasons... Invite foreign teams, this could be their alternates for those players who leave to play overseas league... Invite some national teams too in the future likes of Indonesia, Thailand, Guam, Mongolia, etc.... or guest ball clubs in Asia Pacific region, And to ease the schedule, one of Commissioners cup or Governors cup should be replace to Invitational cup...

I was thinking more a long the lines of replacing the Philippine Cup with an invitational cup that you suggested, but with a little twist.

Such tourney should try to emulate a FIBA or ASIAD-like competition atmosphere. To do this, I'd like it to include APAC NTs, or even foreign pro/semi-pro teams as guest teams, with each team composed of 10 FIBA locals, 1 non-APAC import or NP, and 1 FIBA-ineligible heritage player. Each PBA team, on the other hand, will only be allowed to parade 11 PBA-eligible locals (including FIBA-ineligibles, no limit on number) and 1 NP or former PHL collegiate FSA.

Invite at least 4 (or any even number of) guest teams. Split to two groups, play single-round elimination. Top 4 of each group advance to KO QF. KO SF, then best of 3 Final. FIBA rules all tournament long.

I think such tournament can be completed in under a month. More importantly, such competition will test PBA teams' qualities and I think our locals (players and coaches) will learn a lot about the international game from such experience.

[hmbopbaduwap]

Manila will host the Final Four Weekend while Okinawa will host it next season

https://www.spin.ph/basketball/manil...220817-fbfirst

The EASL made the announcement on Wednesday, although the venue for the event is yet to be determined.

The Final Four will be held on March 3, a music festival will be staged the following day, and then the final is set on March 5.

At the same time, EASL also announced the Final Four Weekend for Season 2 taking place in early 2024, will be held in Okinawa, Japan.

“We couldn’t ask for a better city to host the first EASL Final Four. I would like to thank the local government authorities, our colleagues at the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), and the Filipino fans for welcoming us. The Final Four weekend will be unique and memorable, bigger than any event EASL has ever held, featuring a music festival and a variety of fan activations,” said EASL CEO Matt Beyer.

[CoJ]

so the empires' flagship franchise, SMB and TNT, will be representing us in the EASL, not bad actually

[KoolAid]

Any news why CBA teams didn't join this years EASL?

[CoJ]

Any news why CBA teams didn't join this years EASL?

https://sports.inquirer.net/443430/easl-eyes-inclusion-of-chinese-clubs-by-third-season

official reason was the pandemic, though i was able to read a article that states CBA's unwillingness to change its schedule to accommodate the EASL. Though there are still plans to include the CBA by the 3rd EASL season

[C2Hamm]

Goodluck also to SMB.. they have a good run last time... TNT and SMB should take this tournament seriously because not just for money, but for pride as the representative of PBA in EASL... Especially against B-League and KBL leagues...

what happens if they don't do well? do we still join in future iterations?

[Rodbi]

what happens if they don't do well? do we still join in future iterations?

Yeah... Unless PBA says that they will back out..

I believe there's prize money for securing EASL berths. Even though it's not that significant, I think it would be enough for PBA and its member teams (especially the indies) to strongly consider securing it's affiliation with EASL.

[Dotch]

what happens if they don't do well? do we still join in future iterations?

The most PBA will do is send token representation in the future. like send 2nd tier teams like Meralco, and 1 farm team like BWE. Kahiya naman lalo. KBL, BLeague send their best to win but PBA only for participation trophies .