Breaking: The PBA Send Two Of Its Champion Teams To Compete In EASL.

When the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) season kicks off in October at the Mall of Asia Arena, both San Miguel and Meralco will be in action.

On October 2, each PBA team will face different opponents, with notable players enhancing their efforts.

Former NBA player Quincy Miller has joined the Beermen in practice, where he’ll collaborate with either Jordan Adams or Sheldon Mac as San Miguel returns to the regional league. The Beermen, who are the reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup champions, will play against Korea’s Suwon KT Sonicboom at 6:00 p.m. Suwon KT finished as the runner-up in the latest Korean Basketball League finals.

Meanwhile, the Meralco Bolts have recruited former Ateneo star Ange Kouame as a naturalized player, allowing him to join forces with Allen Durham and DJ Kennedy. They will compete against the Macau Black Bears, the current champions of the Macau Basketball League, at 8:00 p.m.

Starting the season in Manila is a fantastic way to highlight the excitement and enthusiasm of the EASL, both on and off the court. We anticipate high-intensity games along with engaging entertainment and fan activities throughout the matches. The EASL Tip-Off 2024 is just the start of what promises to be another incredible season of top-tier basketball in Asia,” said EASL CEO Henry Kerins.

San Miguel will be led by PBA icon June Mar Fajardo, a 10-time champion and eight-time MVP.

Fajardo and the Beermen will go up against the KT Sonicboom, who have Heo Hoon, a standout point guard known for his scoring and playmaking skills. Heo averaged 15.1 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game in the last KBL season.

The Bolts, fresh off their first PBA Philippine Cup title, are returning to the EASL with most of their key players back for another season.

Chris Newsome, a key player for the Bolts, played a crucial role last season, averaging 16.8 points across four EASL games, including a 27-point performance against the Ryukyu Golden Kings that led Meralco to their first league win.

The Macau Black Bears, coming off a record-setting season, are spearheaded by point guard Jenning Leung, who has been with the team since January 2018.