Mga laro ngayon:
(Mall of Asia)
6:10 p.m. – San Miguel vs. Suwon KT Sonicboom
8:10 p.m. – Meralco vs. Macau Black Bears
SISIMULAN na ng San Miguel at Meralco ang kampanya ng Pilipinas sa EASL (East Asia Super League) ngayong Miyerkoles sa magkahiwalay na laro sa pagbubukas ng Home and Away Season 2 ng liga.
Ipaparada ng Beermen sina imports EJ Anosike at Quincy Miller laban sa Korean Basketball League side ng Suwon KT Sonicboom sa 6:10 p.m. curtain raiser sa Mall of Asia Arena.
Haharapin naman ng Bolts, sa likod ng trio nina imports Allen Durham, DJ Kennedy, at naturalized player Ange Kouame, ang newcomer Macau Black Bears sa main game sa alas-8:10 ng gabi.
Kapwa sisikapin ng San Miguel at Meralco na makabawi mula sa kampanya noong nakaraang season nang mabigo silang umabante sa Final Four na idinaos sa Lapu-Lapu City sa Cebu.
“It’s going to be one big show. We’re launching the EASL 2024-25 season. It’s the first time we’re doing it in Manila and we know how much Filipinos love the game of basketball. It’s not only an honor but more of an obligation to host the games here in Manila,” sabi ni Banjo Albano, VP Business Development and Head of EASL Philippines sa Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum nitong Martes sa conference hall ng Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“We felt Manila is the best place to kick off the new season.”
Si Albano, anak ni dating Letran at national coach Larry Albano, ay sinamahan sa session na itinataguyod ng San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, at ArenaPlus, ang 24/7 sports app ng bansa, ni VP Head of Commercial and Broadcast Operations Adam Zecha.
“We’re pleased to say that Cignal TV would be our broadcast partner this season, and they are our broadcast partner last season as well. Fans are able to watch the games on Cignal, One Sport, One Sport Plus, and Pilipinas Live,” sabi ni Zecha, idinagdag na ang EASL ay may 20 broadcast partners na maghahatid ng contents sa basketball fans sa buong mundo.
Umaasa si Albano na lalaban ang San Miguel at Meralco para sa championship ngayong season kung saan ang winning team ay tatanggap ng top prize na $1 million.
“On the Meralco side we know they’re coming on strong. Similar to what they did last season, they definitely won a lot of hearts, beating the B. League champions the season before, the Ryukyu Golden Kings, and they used that experience to win their first PBA championship,” sabi ng EASL executive hinggil sa Bolts, ang reigning Philippine Cup champions.
“And for San Miguel, we know what they bring to the table. They have June Mar Fajardo, who as we all know, is one of the most dominant big men in Asia. And you add the veterans Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross, and firepower in Terrence (Romeo), CJ Perez, and Simon Enciso, and with two solid imports as well,” pahayag naman ni Albano hinggil sa Beermen, ang Commissioner’s Cup champion.
“I think they’re looking to represent the Philippines the best way they can and compete for the championship this season.”
Ang San Miguel ay nasa Group A, kasama ang Suwon KT Sonicboom, B. League champion Hiroshima Dragonflies, Taoyuan Pilots of the P.League+, at new team Hongkong Eastern.
Samantala, kasama ng Meralco sa Group B ang Macau Black Bears, Ryukyu Golden Kings, Korean Basketball League champion Busan KCC Egis, P.League+ titleholder New Taipei Kings
