PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has confirmed that TNT and Barangay Ginebra, the champions and runners-up of the Governors' Cup, will represent the league in the inaugural eight-team EASL (East Asia Super League) home-and-away season starting in October. Joining them in the competition are Korean Basketball League champions Anyang KGC, runners-up Seoul SK Knights, and EASL franchise club Bay Area Dragons, making it a total of five participating teams.
To complete the lineup, the champions and runners-up of the Japanese B-League, as well as the winners of the Taipei P.League+, will also join the EASL. Currently, the B-League semifinals feature Chiba Jets, Alvark Tokyo, Ryukyu Golden Knights, and Yokohama BC, while the P.League+ semifinals involve Taipei Fubon Braves, New Taipei Kings, Taoyuan Pilots, and Taishin Dreamers.
During the EASL Champions Week last March, the PBA Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beer and runners-up TNT had participated. For the upcoming EASL season, the PBA Board of Governors decided to select the top two teams from the recent Governors' Cup. Marcial mentioned that the PBA will adjust the schedule of the first conference of the next season to accommodate the Wednesday-only home-and-away games of TNT and Ginebra in the EASL. Both teams will play six regular-season EASL games, with three at home and three away, and if they advance, they will compete in the Final Four.
Next season, the PBA will have only two conferences. While one is confirmed to be the Philippine Cup, it is yet to be determined whether the other conference will be the Commissioner's Cup (with an import height limit of under 6-10) or the Governors' Cup (with an import height limit of under 6-6), as well as which conference will be the first. Marcial hinted that there is an 80 to 90 percent chance that Bay Area Dragons will participate in the first conference. The Dragons made their PBA debut last season and finished as runners-up to Barangay Ginebra in the Commissioner's Cup. If Bay Area plays in the first conference, it is likely to be the Commissioner's Cup, and the Dragons will be based in Manila, where they stayed for over 200 days last season. Bay Area coach Brian Goorjian will coach the Australian team in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
I am not shocked that TNT and Ginebra managed to get the two spots for the EASL because the two teams garnered the most number of Finals appearance last season.
I am excited to see if coach Tim Cone can actually craft a team that can compete Internationally. I think the fans are also excited to see another Foreign imports that can lead their team.
Comments
Post a Comment