TNT, Ginebra pushed to become PBA’s representatives for 2021 East Asia League

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

One of the most prestigious Southeast Asian basketball leagues already laid down all the final plans and will be kicking off this October 2021.

After months of thorough discussion with its partner organizations including FIBA, the East Asia Super League (EASL) has scheduled October as its starting date and is already collecting the list of teams that will represent the participating countries.

EASL Business Development Head Dioceldo Sy, who is also the owner of the PBA team Blackwater, vowed to endorse the TNT Tropang Giga and the Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel as the two participating teams who will represent the Philippines.

Sy confirmed that he will be the one who will recommend and push for the inclusion of the top two teams in the league who are fresh off an exciting PBA bubble finals showdown.

After a successful Clark, Pampanga bubble of the PBA, Sy added that there are no other teams who would best fit the EASL and represent the Philippines other than the final two teams who made it all the way to the finals.

However, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial asked for another meeting with EASL CEO Matt Beyer and the rest of the committee.

As of now, Marcial and the PBA board have yet to give the final permission to allow both teams to join.

Going up against the Philippines are the top two teams from South Korea, Japan, and China who will observe a home-and-away format under FIBA rules.