Ever since the formation of East Asia Super League last 2019, PBA teams who have won the championship and the finals runners-up in a particular conference are invited to be part of this tournament. Aside from the PBA, other Asian basketball leagues who have also won a title and their runners-up are also included like the KBL of South Korea, B League of Japan and P. League+ of Chinese Taipei.
But why are PBA teams not having success in this tournament?
History Speaks for Itself
After being postponed because of the COVID-19 Pandemic as well as the restrictions that went along within, the supposedly 2020 start of EASL got pushed all the way to March 2023. The plan was to have a home-and-away format for the teams invited but it ultimately became a week-long tournament. It was called “EASL Champions Week”.
The teams that were invited were: Taipei Fubon Braves of P League+, Utsunomiya Brex and Ryukyu Golden Kings of B League, Seoul SK Knights and Anyang KGC of KBL, San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang Giga of the PBA and the Bay Area Dragons, a team owned by EASL themselves.
The Beermen and Tropang Giga were separated and placed in two groups. They all bowed down to their 2 elimination games, winning nothing and ultimately getting eliminated from the competition. In their games, they’ve lost by at least 10+ points. While the teams from Korea are the ones that met in the Finals where Anyang KGC became the champions and for the 3rd place, the Bay Area Dragons won against Ryukyu Golden Kings.
In Year 2, the original plan finally pushed through where it would be a home-and-away format. This time the teams involved were: Taipei Fubon Braves and New Taipei Kings of P League+, Ryukyu Golden Kings and Chiba Jets of B League, Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters and Seoul SK Knights of KBL and TNT Tropang Giga and Meralco Bolts of the PBA.
Teams are again divided into two groups having four teams in both Groups A and B with one team from each country. This time, TNT and Meralco performed better in their 6 elimination games. They both finished the eliminations with 1 win and 5 losses. This still resulted in them being eliminated and missing the playoffs. Only the top 2 teams from each group are the ones to advance in the Final Four playoffs. It was the Chiba Jets versus the Seoul SK Knights in the finals where the Jets won and Anyang JKJ Red Boosters won the third place versus the New Taipei Kings.
Now in the 2024-25 season, it’s again the San Miguel Beermen and Meralco Bolts participating and representing the teams of the Philippines. Their current record? Quite underwhelming still. SMB is 0-5 and Meralco is 2-3. With 3 more games remaining in the elimination stage, there’s only a very small chance for them to get into the Playoffs.
Reinforcements + Chemistry = W
While Pinoy hoopers are certainly a bit better players than their neighboring countries, there is no denying that the number of imports played by each team brings such a huge factor in winning.
The Philippine Basketball Association only allows one import per team in the Commissioner’s Cup and Governor’s Cup, in the Gov’s Cup it even has a height limit of 6-foot-6 for the imports in order to bring “balance in the competition”. In the Comm’s Cup, this 2024-25 conference has banished the limit of the 6-foot-10 height requirement it previously once had. While it may bring “fair competition” among locals, it certainly is a huge disadvantage in the EASL as other Asian basketball leagues have now allowed up to 3 reinforcements for each squad. A maximum number of 2 foreign imports and 1 Asian import with no height restrictions is a rule in the EASL and this is a big challenge for PBA teams since they are only used to having one reinforcement. These 3 imports can even share the floor and play all at the same time.
We can look at the Hong Kong Eastern in the current season of EASL. They both have their 6-foot-10 big man Chris McLaughlin and the scoring machine wing in Cameron Clarke. This strong tandem has given them a 3 wins and 2 loss record. And even though McLaughlin is the only one playing in the PBA, they still practice all together allowing the chemistry to be a vital factor in winning games. The Ryukyu Golden Kings, a constant champion in the B League has 3 imports: Alex Kirk, Keve Aluma, and Victor Law which allows them to have an outstanding record in Group B which is 5 wins and only 1 loss.
Yes, the Meralco Bolts also have 3 imports: Akil Mitchell, DJ Kennedy and a naturalized import Ange Koume but this much firepower only gave them 2 wins and 3 losses. The team hasn’t played enough games to get them in their A+ game. One problem that the PBA must resolve. Just look at the San Miguel Beermen, a solid local group but never found any luck for an import that compliments the way they play.
The System
The EASL strictly follows FIBA rules, which is another major flaw of the PBA. Unlike other Asian leagues that have adopted international rules for many years already, playing in this tournament doesn’t bring any “getting to know first” type of approach for the players.
Yes, the Bolts, TNT, and SMB have been in the EASL multiple times already but the majority of the games that they play in the PBA which has similar rules to the calls made in the NBA is still a hindrance in playing for FIBA ruled tournaments.
Iron Sharpens Iron
It has been announced last January 24 2025 in the EASL Facebook Page that the champions and runners-up in the country of Mongolia called “The League” will join the EASL tournament next season. Another reason why PBA teams wouldn’t find success in this international tournament.
