Ginebra faces B.League’s Ryukyu, TNT clashes with KBL’s Anyang in EASL

June 21, 2023 Times Europe

FILE – Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson (left) and TNT’s Mikey Williams. AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines-Barangay Ginebra and TNT will take on champions of Japan and South Korea, respectively, after being drawn into separate groups for the second staging of the East Asia Super League which starts in mid-October.

Ginebra will have B.League winners Ryukyu Golden Kings as one of its opponents in Group B while TNT is going to play Korean Basketball League champion Anyang KGC in Group A of the regional tournament that plans to finally stage a home-and-away format until March 2024.

The Bay Area Dragons are also set for a rematch of their 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup Finals showdown with the Gin Kings in Group B which also has South Korea’s Seoul SK Knights while Taiwan’s P.League+ champion Fubon Taipei Braves and the B.League’s Chiba Jets are in Group A.

“[The] PBA is excited to be taking part in Season 2 of East Asia Super League, and for our teams to be competing against these great teams from other leagues in East Asia,” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said in a statement after the EASL draw took place.

“We look forward to hosting visiting teams and fans, and giving them the best hardcourt action that the league and the Philippines have to offer,” he added.

Both Ginebra and TNT will try to make up for the disappointing performances of PBA clubs in the inaugural EASL staging last March, which was reduced to a shortened Champions Week after attempts to have the home-and-away setup was shelved.

TNT and San Miguel Beer suffered double-digit setbacks during the tournament held in the Japanese cities of Utsunomiya and Okinawa.

Anyang, led by former Letran star Rhenz Abando, went on to become the first EASL champion after defeating Seoul in an all-South Korean final.