Rousing start for EASL season

Two games got EASL’s second home-and-away season off to a rousing start before a big crowd at the MOA Arena last Wednesday with celebrities, basketball figures and the league’s team owners from six countries soaking in the festivities. Korean Basketball League runner-up Suwon KT Sonicboom drew first blood by stunning San Miguel Beer, 87-81 then PBA Philippine Cup champion Meralco trounced newcomer Macau Black Bears, 97-85, in the nightcap.

Organizers set up a stage on one end of the venue with food and drinks for VIPs. Dance groups entertained the audience during timeouts and halftime. EASL’s resident DJ Nix Pernia or Nix Damn P kept the music going. T-shirts and mini-balls were tossed to the crowd. Sound effects were loudly blasted when there were airballs and missed free throws. The atmosphere was NBA-like and even the arena announcer got in the act, lowering his voice for every visiting basket, screaming at every home conversion and calling on fans to shout “defense” whenever Suwon or Macau had possession. The fans enjoyed every second and EASL CEO Henry Kerins was all smiles.

Spotted in the crowd were Sen. Bong Go, Rep. Paul Daza, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, PBA Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy, SBP executive director Erika Dy, UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag, Ginebra/Gilas head coach Tim Cone and assistant Richard del Rosario, PBA players Gabe Norwood, Joe Devance, Sedrick Barefield, DJ Mitchell and Jared Dillinger and PBA veterans Jay Washington and Sol Mercado.

Both San Miguel and Meralco will play two more home games before the EASL eliminations end on Feb. 12. The Beermen face the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots on Nov. 13 and Hong Kong Eastern on Jan. 15, both at the PhilSports Arena. The Bolts take on the Busan KCC Egis on Nov. 13 and the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Jan. 22, both at the PhilSports Arena.

Each of the 10 EASL teams will play six elimination games, three home and three away. The squads are split into two groups of five. San Miguel is in Group A with Suwon, Japan B-League champion Hiroshima, Hong Kong and Taoyuan. Meralco is in Group B with Macau, Ryukyu, New Taipei Kings and Busan. EASL will take two breaks to make way for the FIBA Asia Cup qualifying windows on Nov. 18-26 and Feb. 19-25. The league has scheduled 30 games on 17 playing days for the eliminations. The semifinals will be on March 7 and the final plus the playoff for third on March 9. Venue for the Final Four is still to be determined with at least three host cities bidding.

San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent nursed a 38.8C fever the morning of the game and while his temperature normalized, opted to sit on the bench with a facemask as assistant Ato Agustin called the shots. Quincy Miller, who has played for Converge and TNT in the PBA, seemed out of shape and slowed down San Miguel’s offense. He was 2-of-12 from the field and finished with eight points and five rebounds in 30:13 minutes. EJ Anosike shot 34 and June Mar Fajardo 19. Terrence Romeo, who was stalled in traffic and showed up late, didn’t play. Leading the local charge for Suwon were Korean national players Han Huiwon and legend Hur Jae’s son Heo Hoon who combined for 31 points. Rayshaun Hammonds, 25, erupted for 39 points and grabbed 14 boards.