San Miguel and Meralco get the Philippine side going in the EASL (East Asia Super League) on Wednesday as they tangle against separate opponents in the opener of the league’s Home and Away Season 2.
The Beermen will parade imports EJ Anosike and Quincy Miller against the Korean Basketball League side of Suwon KT Sonicboom in the 6:10 p.m. curtain raiser at the Mall of Asia Arena.
And then the Bolts, behind the trio of imports Allen Durham, DJ Kennedy, and naturalized player Ange Kouame, face newcomer Macau Black Bears in the main game at 8:10 p.m.
Both San Miguel and Meralco are looking to redeem themselves from last season’s campaign when both teams fell short of advancing in the Final Four held in Lapu-Lapu City in 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,” said Banjo Albano, VP Business Development and Head of EASL Philippines during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“We felt Manila is the best place to kick off the new season.”
Joining Albano, son of former Letran and national coach Larry Albano, in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPlus, the country’s 24/7 sports app, was 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,” said Zecha, adding the EASL have 20 broadcast partners which will deliver the contents to basketball fans all around the world.
Albano expects both San Miguel and Meralco to be in contention for this season’s championship where the winning team gets to win the top prize of $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,” said the EASL executive about the Bolts, 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,” Albano said about the Beermen, the 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.”
San Miguel is bracketed in Group A together with Suwon KT Sonicboom, B. League champion Hiroshima Dragonflies, Taoyuan Pilots of the P.League+, and new team Hongkong Eastern.
Meralco meanwhile, is in Group B along with Macau Black Bears, Ryukyu Golden Kings, Korean Basketball League champion Busan KCC Egis, and P.League+ titleholder New Taipei Kings.
