2023–24 East Asia Super League

The 2023–24 East Asia Super League is the second regular season of the East Asia Super League, an international basketball club competition involving teams from domestic leagues in Japan, South Korea, Philippines and Taiwan.^[2][3] The season started on 11 October 2023, and ended on 10 March 2024.

East Asia Super League
Season	2023–24
Duration	11 October 2023 – 10 March 2024
Number of teams	8
Final Four
Champions	Chiba Jets
Runners-up	Seoul SK Knights
Third place	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters
Fourth place	New Taipei Kings
Final Four MVP	Yuki Togashi[1] (Chiba Jets)
Records
Biggest home win	Seoul SK Knights 89–57 New Taipei Kings (31 January 2024)
Biggest away win	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters 69–102 Chiba Jets (13 December 2023)
Highest scoring	Chiba Jets 115–98 Anyang JKJ Red Boosters (10 January 2024)

Originally set to be held from 12 October 2022 to February 2023 under a in home and away format and a Final Four knockout stage,^[4] the start of the EASL regular season was postponed to October 2023.^[5][6]

The 2023 EASL Champions Week was organized in March as a pre-season tournament.^[6] The tournament was retroactively considered as the EASL's first season. The 2023–24 season is tagged by the organizers as its second season.^[7]

The Chiba Jets won the championship after defeating Seoul SK Knights in the final in the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines.

Team allocation

Four leagues are represented for the 2023–24 EASL, namely the champions and runners-up of the Japanese B.League, the Korean Basketball League, the Philippine Basketball Association, and the Taiwanese P. League+.^[8][9]

Prior to the postponement of the season, each of the top two finishing teams of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup, 2021–22 B.League season, 2021–22 Korean Basketball League, and the champions of the 2021–22 P. League+ season qualified.^[10] Initially, the Philippine allocation was unclear since the Philippine Basketball Association holds multiple conferences or tournaments across a single season. Among the possibilities were drawing of lots among the top four PBA teams, forming a selection team or entering the national team.^[11][12] Champions San Miguel Beermen and runners-up TNT Tropang Giga qualified for the EASL season.

However, the PBA later decided that the top two finishing teams of the already finished 2023 PBA Governors' Cup, namely TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, will qualify instead.^[13] Furthermore, Barangay Ginebra withdrew for undisclosed reasons and were replaced by semifinalists Meralco Bolts shortly prior to the start of the league.^[14]

It was also determined that the qualified teams from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are based from the 2022–23 season instead of the 2021–22 season.^[15] The qualified teams remained largely the same; Utsunomiya Brex originally qualified under the old format. The Chiba Jets qualified instead.

Hong Kong based Chun Yu Bay Area Dragons, a franchise team, were also expected participate. However, the EASL announced the Dragons' disbandment on 1 September 2023 reportedly due to financial reasons.^[16] They were later replaced by the 2022–23 P. League+ runners-up New Taipei Kings.^[17][18]

The league considers the P. League+ teams as the representatives of the "Greater China".^[4]

Each team may have 12-men roster with two foreign players and an additional Asian player.^[4]

League	Country or region	Berths
Franchise team	Hong Kong	1 0
P. League+	Chinese Taipei[note 1]	1+1
B.League	Japan	2
Korean Basketball League	South Korea	2
Philippine Basketball Association	Philippines	2

Qualified teams

Team	Domestic league standing
Chun Yu Bay Area Dragons[note 2]	N/A (EASL franchise)
Taipei Fubon Braves	2022–23 P. League+ champions
New Taipei Kings	2022–23 P. League+ runners-up
Ryukyu Golden Kings	2022–23 B.League champions
Chiba Jets	2022–23 B.League runners-up
Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters	2022–23 Korean Basketball League champions
Seoul SK Knights	2022–23 Korean Basketball League runners-up
TNT Tropang Giga	2023 PBA Governors' Cup champions
Meralco Bolts[note 3]	2023 PBA Governors' Cup semifinalist

Preparation

Original draw and format

The initial official draw for the 2022–23 EASL season was held on 28 June 2022 at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila in Taguig.^[19][20]

The teams initially were drawn in two groups. A coin flipping mechanic were used; each champion in each domestic league were made to choose a coin side. The winner of the coin flip were placed on Group A while the other placed in Group B.^[10][21]

Each club was to play all the other clubs twice in home and away matches starting from 12 October 2022 to February 2023, with two EASL Group Stage games taking place every Wednesday night.^[4] The final four were to be play in a venue in Metro Manila in the Philippines in March 2023.^[22][4][23]

Postponement and resumption

A few weeks before the supposed opening day, the league announced the cancellation of the home and away season, instead pushing through with a "Champions Week" that was initially announced to be held in Manila in early 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic was blamed for the cancellation.^[24] Japan was later named the host country for this event.^[25] The original groups for the postponed season were also the groupings for the Champions Week.

A new draw was held for the EASL season on 21 June 2023.^[15]

Champions Week

Main article: 2023 EASL Champions Week

In December, EASL announced that the Champions Week will be hosted by the qualifying Japanese teams, with the Utsunomiya Brex hosting the first six games, while the Ryukyu Golden Kings hosting the last six games at the Okinawa Arena.^[25] The Champions Week would be tagged as a "special tournament" which would proceed the start of the inaugural season proper.^[6]

Group stage

Group A

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Chiba Jets	6	6	0	546	450	+96	Semifinals
2	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	6	4	2	542	537	+5
3	TNT Tropang Giga	6	1[lower-alpha 1]	5	491	536	−45
4	Taipei Fubon Braves	6	1[lower-alpha 1]	5	464	520	−56

Source: EASL
Notes:

1. TNT Tropang Giga 177–175 Taipei Fubon Braves

11 October 2023	Chiba Jets	93–75	TNT Tropang Giga	Funabashi
19:00 (JST)	Scoring by quarter: 21–22, 24–22, 26–12, 22–19
	Pts: Brown, Stephens 19 Rebs: Brown 12 Asts: Ogawa 6	Boxscore	Pts: Miller 22 Rebs: Hollis-Jefferson 9 Asts: Hollis-Jefferson, Montalbo 5	Arena: Funabashi Arena Attendance: 3,667

Chiba Jets v TNT Tropang Giga

18 October 2023	Taipei Fubon Braves	82–850(OT)	Chiba Jets	Taipei
19:00 (TST)	Scoring by quarter: 20–15, 22–14, 13–18, 19–27, Overtime: 8–11
	Pts: Singletary 29 Rebs: Singletary 18 Asts: Barefield, Singletary 4	Boxscore	Pts: Togashi 38 Rebs: Mutts 12 Asts: Togashi 7	Arena: National Taiwan University Sports Center Attendance: 3,889

Taipei Fubon Braves v Chiba Jets

25 October 2023	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	98–77	Taipei Fubon Braves	Anyang
19:00 (KST)	Scoring by quarter: 31–17, 29–23, 17–23, 21–14
	Pts: Bae 18 Rebs: Monroe 9 Asts: Monroe 10	Boxscore	Pts: Barefield, Johnson 18 Rebs: Johnson 9 Asts: Johnson 6	Arena: Anyang Gymnasium Attendance: 1,022

Anyang JKJ Red Boosters v Taipei Fubon Braves

1 November 2023	TNT Tropang Giga	66–75	Chiba Jets	Santa Rosa
19:00 (PST)	Scoring by quarter: 14–23, 18–27, 24–14, 10–11
	Pts: Miller 22 Rebs: Miller 13 Asts: Castro, Oftana 3	Boxscore	Pts: Mooney 30 Rebs: Mooney 16 Asts: Togashi 5	Arena: City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex

TNT Tropang Giga v Chiba Jets

15 November 2023	Taipei Fubon Braves	106–97	TNT Tropang Giga	Taipei
19:00 (TST)	Scoring by quarter: 31–34, 23–18, 30–23, 22–22
	Pts: Johnson 29 Rebs: Singletary 9 Asts: Barefield 7	Boxscore	Pts: Miller 34 Rebs: Miller 10 Asts: Hollis-Jefferson 10	Arena: Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium

Taipei Fubon Braves v TNT Tropang Giga

6 December 2023	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	105–97	TNT Tropang Giga	Anyang
19:00 (KST)	Scoring by quarter: 32–26, 26–18, 22–23, 25–30
	Pts: Choi 24 Rebs: Monroe 10 Asts: Park 10	Boxscore	Pts: Miller 35 Rebs: Miller 9 Asts: Hollis-Jefferson, Montalbo 5	Arena: Anyang Gymnasium

Anyang JKJ Red Boosters v TNT Tropang Giga

13 December 2023	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	69–102	Chiba Jets	Anyang
19:00 (KST)	Scoring by quarter: 21–22, 18–27, 14–28, 16–25
	Pts: Abando 17 Rebs: Monroe 11 Asts: Park 4	Boxscore	Pts: Mooney 22 Rebs: Mooney 22 Asts: three players 5	Arena: Anyang Gymnasium

Anyang JKJ Red Boosters v Chiba Jets

20 December 2023	TNT Tropang Giga	80–69	Taipei Fubon Braves	Santa Rosa
19:00 (PST)	Scoring by quarter: 17–21, 31–21, 14–16, 18–11
	Pts: Ro. Hollis-Jefferson 35 Rebs: Ro. Hollis-Jefferson 11 Asts: Ro. Hollis-Jefferson 5	Boxscore	Pts: Johnson 19 Rebs: Johnson 20 Asts: Chou 6	Arena: City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex

TNT Tropang Giga v Taipei Fubon Braves

27 December 2023	Chiba Jets	76–60	Taipei Fubon Braves	Funabashi
19:00 (JST)	Scoring by quarter: 17–14, 20–16, 21–13, 18–17
	Pts: Mooney 21 Rebs: Cooks, Mooney 15 Asts: Togashi 6	Boxscore	Pts: Barefield 16 Rebs: Zimmerman 13 Asts: five players 1	Arena: Funabashi Arena Attendance: 4,125

Chiba Jets v Taipei Fubon Braves

10 January 2024	Chiba Jets	115–98	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	Funabashi
19:00 (JST)	Scoring by quarter: 24–24, 26–31, 36–19, 29–24
	Pts: Cooks 28 Rebs: Cooks 13 Asts: Cooks 8	Boxscore	Pts: Carter 27 Rebs: four players 3 Asts: Choi 8	Arena: Funabashi Arena Attendance: 3,774

Chiba Jets v Anyang JKJ Red Boosters

24 January 2024	TNT Tropang Giga	76–88	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	Pasig
19:00 (PST)	Scoring by quarter: 19–34, 22–19, 20–18, 15–17
	Pts: Ro. Hollis-Jefferson 33 Rebs: Ra. Hollis-Jefferson 12 Asts: Ro. Hollis-Jefferson 7	Boxscore	Pts: Choi 23 Rebs: Carter, Wilson 14 Asts: Carter, Park 7	Arena: PhilSports Arena

TNT Tropang Giga v Anyang JKJ Red Boosters

7 February 2024	Taipei Fubon Braves	70–84	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	Taipei
19:00 (TST)	Scoring by quarter: 19–28, 20–28, 16–18, 15–10
	Pts: Zaytsev 17 Rebs: Patton 11 Asts: Zaytsev 8	Boxscore	Pts: Carter 21 Rebs: Carter 13 Asts: Wilson 7	Arena: Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium

Taipei Fubon Braves v Anyang JKJ Red Boosters

Group B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Qualification
1	Seoul SK Knights	6	4[lower-alpha 1]	2	475	438	+37	Semifinals
2	New Taipei Kings	6	4[lower-alpha 1]	2	467	483	−16
3	Ryukyu Golden Kings	6	3	3	479	453	+26
4	Meralco Bolts	6	1	5	469	516	−47

Source: EASL
Notes:

1. Seoul SK Knights 161–147 New Taipei Kings

18 October 2023	Ryukyu Golden Kings	80–79	Seoul SK Knights	Okinawa
19:00 (JST)	Scoring by quarter: 27–20, 12–20, 22–18, 19–21
	Pts: Imamura 18 Rebs: Law 13 Asts: Law 6	Boxscore	Pts: Warney 39 Rebs: Warney, Williams 10 Asts: Oh J. 5	Arena: Okinawa Arena Attendance: 5,526

Ryukyu Golden Kings v Seoul SK Knights

1 November 2023	Seoul SK Knights	82–69	Ryukyu Golden Kings	Goyang
19:00 (KST)	Scoring by quarter: 24–17, 18–17, 26–19, 14–16
	Pts: Williams 23 Rebs: Williams 17 Asts: Kim S. 8	Boxscore	Pts: Imamura 15 Rebs: Tamayo 7 Asts: Durham 7	Arena: Goyang Sono Arena Attendance: 1,164

Seoul SK Knights v Ryukyu Golden Kings

8 November 2023	New Taipei Kings	90–72	Seoul SK Knights	New Taipei City
19:00 (TST)	Scoring by quarter: 21–29, 22–14, 26–15, 21–14
	Pts: Manigault 22 Rebs: Manigault 11 Asts: Je. Lin 9	Boxscore	Pts: Warney 45 Rebs: Warney, Williams 11 Asts: Kim S. 4	Arena: Xinzhuang Gymnasium

New Taipei Kings v Seoul SK Knights

15 November 2023	Ryukyu Golden Kings	89–61	Meralco Bolts	Okinawa
19:00 (JST)	Scoring by quarter: 17–21, 31–13, 21–13, 20–14
	Pts: Imamura 19 Rebs: Durham 9 Asts: Durham 6	Boxscore	Pts: Newsome 11 Rebs: Ibeh 9 Asts: Caram 4	Arena: Okinawa Arena Attendance: 6,120

Ryukyu Golden Kings v Meralco Bolts

29 November 2023	New Taipei Kings	97–92	Meralco Bolts	New Taipei City
19:00 (TST)	Scoring by quarter: 25–30, 20–18, 20–18, 32–26
	Pts: Je. Lin 25 Rebs: Anigwe 14 Asts: Je. Lin 7	Boxscore	Pts: Lofton 35 Rebs: Ibeh, Newsome 6 Asts: Newsome 4	Arena: Xinzhuang Gymnasium

New Taipei Kings v Meralco Bolts

13 December 2023	Meralco Bolts	97–880(OT)	Ryukyu Golden Kings	Macau, China
19:00 (CST)	Scoring by quarter: 17–21, 21–16, 19–20, 23–23, Overtime: 17–8
	Pts: Lofton 35 Rebs: Ibeh 12 Asts: three players 3	Boxscore	Pts: Law 27 Rebs: Cooley 13 Asts: Law 6	Arena: Studio City Event Center

Meralco Bolts v Ryukyu Golden Kings

27 December 2023	Meralco Bolts	80–81	Seoul SK Knights	Pasig
19:00 (PST)	Scoring by quarter: 20–20, 13–25, 23–19, 24–17
	Pts: Lofton 32 Rebs: Ibeh 11 Asts: Newsome 6	Boxscore	Pts: Warney 31 Rebs: Williams 8 Asts: Warney 6	Arena: PhilSports Arena

Meralco Bolts v Seoul SK Knights

3 January 2024	Meralco Bolts	77–89	New Taipei Kings	Pasig
19:00 (PST)	Scoring by quarter: 21–21, 26–21, 11–24, 77–89
	Pts: Lofton 20 Rebs: Ibeh 7 Asts: Lofton 4	Boxscore	Pts: Je. Lin 23 Rebs: Anigwe, Je. Lin 10 Asts: Je. Lin, Manigault 4	Arena: PhilSports Arena

Meralco Bolts v New Taipei Kings

10 January 2024	New Taipei Kings	67–63	Ryukyu Golden Kings	New Taipei City
19:00 (TST)	Scoring by quarter: 18–15, 19–14, 15–18, 15–16
	Pts: Manigault 16 Rebs: Manigault 13 Asts: Je. Lin 6	Boxscore	Pts: Tamayo 16 Rebs: Cooley 10 Asts: Imamura 6	Arena: Xinzhuang Gymnasium Attendance: 5,207

New Taipei Kings v Ryukyu Golden Kings

24 January 2024	Ryukyu Golden Kings	90–67	New Taipei Kings	Okinawa
19:00 (JST)	Scoring by quarter: 18–19, 17–21, 29–14, 26–13
	Pts: Durham 21 Rebs: Law 9 Asts: Kishimoto 11	Boxscore	Pts: Blankley 16 Rebs: Anigwe 9 Asts: Lee 4	Arena: Okinawa Arena Attendance: 6,769

Ryukyu Golden Kings v New Taipei Kings

31 January 2024	Seoul SK Knights	89–57	New Taipei Kings	Seoul
19:00 (KST)	Scoring by quarter: 24–16, 17–21, 23–15, 25–5
	Pts: Warney 34 Rebs: Warney 18 Asts: Yang 7	Boxscore	Pts: Mitchell 12 Rebs: Anigwe 10 Asts: Jo. Lin 7	Arena: Jamsil Students' Gymnasium

Seoul SK Knights v New Taipei Kings

7 February 2024	Seoul SK Knights	72–62	Meralco Bolts	Seoul
19:00 (KST)	Scoring by quarter: 14–13, 18–17, 17–18, 23–14
	Pts: Williams 25 Rebs: Williams 19 Asts: Choi W. 14	Boxscore	Pts: Miller 23 Rebs: Tew 21 Asts: three players 3	Arena: Jamsil Students' Gymnasium

Seoul SK Knights v Meralco Bolts

Final round

The final round was held at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines.^[26][27]

	Semifinals				Final
	Chiba Jets	92
	New Taipei Kings	84
					Chiba Jets	72
					Seoul SK Knights	69
	Seoul SK Knights	94
	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	79
					Third place
					New Taipei Kings	76
					Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	78

Semifinals

Note: All times are Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8).

8 March 2024 17:00

Boxscore

Chiba Jets	92–84	New Taipei Kings
Scoring by quarter: 32–25, 18–22, 16–20, 26–17
Pts: Togashi 28 Rebs: Cooks 23 Asts: Togashi 5		Pts: Jo. Lin 21 Rebs: Manigault 6 Asts: Jo. Lin 5

Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City

8 March 2024 20:00

Boxscore

Seoul SK Knights	94–79	Anyang JKJ Red Boosters
Scoring by quarter: 23–26, 22–14, 22–18, 27–21
Pts: Warney 38 Rebs: Warney 16 Asts: Choi W. 10		Pts: Carter 21 Rebs: Carter 9 Asts: Park 9

Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City

Third place game

10 March 2024 16:00

Boxscore

Anyang JKJ Red Boosters	78–76	New Taipei Kings
Scoring by quarter: 18–13, 26–20, 20–24, 14–19
Pts: Park 29 Rebs: Carter 15 Asts: Choi 5		Pts: Manigault 18 Rebs: Manigault 10 Asts: Jo. Lin 7

Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City

Final

10 March 2024 19:00

Boxscore

Seoul SK Knights	69–72	Chiba Jets
Scoring by quarter: 16–21, 18–16, 20–14, 15–21
Pts: Warney 22 Rebs: Warney 17 Asts: Oh J., Warney 5		Pts: Togashi 24 Rebs: Mooney 16 Asts: Togashi 7

Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City Attendance: 4,234

Notes

1. Taiwan, officially Republic of China. The organizers of the EASL^[4] and FIBA uses the designation of "Chinese Taipei".
2. Disbanded prior to the start of the season.
3. Replaced 2023 PBA Governor's Cup runners-up Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

References

1. Ramos, Gerry (11 March 2024). "Five-foot-six Yuki Togashi named EASL Final Four MVP". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
2. "EASL 2022–2023 Season". East Asia Super League. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
3. Naredo, Camille (2 December 2021). "PBA wants to prove it is best in Asia through EASL". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
4. "East Asia Super League Debuts Season 1 of Premier Home-and-Away Pan-Regional League in 2022". East Asia Super League. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022. The newly formed Bay Area Chun Yu Phoenixes and the championship team from Chinese Taipei's P.LEAGUE+, are the Greater China representatives.
5. "East Asia Super League Prepares to Update Season 1 Format". East Asia Super League. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
6. "EASL secures US$40m to fund expansion, CEO Bayer talks up 'bullish' outlook". South China Morning Post. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
7. "East Asia Super League to return with new format for second season". Korea JoongAng Daily. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
8. "Super League shakes up Asian hoops". China Daily. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
9. "P.League+ winner to play in East Asian tournament – Taipei Times". Taipei Times. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
10. Henson, Joaquin (16 June 2022). "EASL draw set in Manila". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
11. "PBA won't rule out sending Gilas to maiden EASL tournament". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
12. Henson, Joaquin (16 June 2022). "EASL draw set in Manila". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
13. Garcia, John Mark (22 May 2023). "TNT, Ginebra slated to play in EASL tournament in October". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
14. Villanueva, Ralph Edwin (15 September 2023). "Meralco takes Ginebra's slot in EASL". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
15. "East Asia Super League Season 2 groups set at draw ceremony in Hong Kong". easl.basketball. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
16. Li, Matthew (1 September 2023). "EASL disbands Bay Area Dragons ahead of PBA Comm's Cup". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
17. "EASL enhances partnership with P. League+ and welcomes league's runner-up team to first home-and-away season". easl.basketball. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
18. Ramos, Gerry (5 September 2023). "EASL welcomes New Taipei Kings after Bay Area Dragons disbandment". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
19. "EASL sets June 28 draw in Manila". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
20. "East Asia Super League unveils group draw for debut season". South China Morning Post. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
21. Giongco, Mark (28 June 2022). "PBA Philippine Cup champion grouped with Taipei, Anyang, Ryukyu". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
22. "East Asia Super League – EASL 2022–2023 Season". easl.basketball. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
23. Ramos, Gerry (17 August 2022). "Manila chosen as host for inaugural EASL Final Four". Spin.ph. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
24. "'Champions Week' eyed as EASL cancels home-and-away season". Manila Bulletin. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
25. "East Asia Super League to begin with Champions Week in Japan". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
26. "Jeremy Lin and Japan captain Yuki Togashi among the stars set to play on March 8–10". 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
27. "Cebu hosts EASL Final Four". Tiebreaker Times. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

External links

• Official website