The Abra Weavers will be representing the Philippines in the upcoming season of the EASL. The announcement was formally made early this week, and it raises the question: Can this team surpass the performances of previous PBA squads in the competition?
Disappointing Records From PBA Teams
Put simply, PBA teams have struggled to compete against their Asian counterparts in the EASL.
Over the past few EASL seasons, Filipino fans have carried high expectations, hoping their representatives could make a deep playoff run or even reach the Finals—especially since the league allows teams to field two imports. Those hopes, however, have consistently ended in disappointment.
During the first official EASL season in 2022–23, the San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang Giga represented the Philippines. Despite the hype, neither team managed to make the playoffs, both finishing with 0-2 records.
The following season, 2023–24, saw TNT return while the Meralco Bolts replaced San Miguel. The Filipino squads showed slight improvement, each finishing with identical 1-5 records and securing their first wins in the competition.
In 2024–25, San Miguel returned to replace TNT, while Meralco once again represented the Philippines. The Bolts improved further, finishing 2-4, while the Beermen went winless at 0-6. Both teams still failed to advance beyond the group stage.
Most recently, in 2025–26, Meralco was the lone Philippine representative. The Bolts finished with a 3-3 record but once again fell short of the playoffs.
Can the Abra Weavers Outperform Their Predecessors?
There is reason to believe the Abra Weavers could outperform their PBA predecessors. For the first time, three former Filipino Asian imports will play together on the same team in an international tournament.
JD Cagulangan, Jake Figueroa, and Dave Ildefonso have all previously suited up as Asian imports in the KBL. Their familiarity with the international stage could prove valuable for the Weavers. Adding to that, veteran Fil-Am guard DJ Fenner brings overseas experience of his own, having competed for Strong Group Athletics in the William Jones Cup.
The Weavers, however, face a new challenge. The MPBL allows only pure Filipinos and Filipino-foreigners, meaning the team has never played alongside two foreign imports. Adjusting to this dynamic could disrupt chemistry at first. Yet, it could also become a strength—foreign reinforcements combined with Cagulangan, Figueroa, Ildefonso, and Fenner might create the strongest version of the team Abra fans have ever seen.
A Chance to Elevate the MPBL
With a full-strength roster, the Abra Weavers will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level and prove that an MPBL team can hold its own against East Asia’s best.
More importantly, their EASL campaign could allow them not only to earn respect from foreign opponents but also to showcase and elevate the quality of talent within the MPBL.
