MANILA, Philippines—The PBA is spicing up next season’s Governors’ Cup by adding a guest team in the Hong Kong-based Bay Area Dragons as part of the field.
The squad, composed of players from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei, is expected to be in the country by August.
“I am very grateful for the PBA and its support of the EASL, and for welcoming the Bay Area Dragons to the PBA,” said Matt Beyer, co-founder and CEO of the East Asia Super League (EASL) on Monday during a virtual presser which was also attended by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and EASL co-founder Henry Kerins.
“We’re honored the PBA is willing to host the Dragons, and we’re excited for what lies ahead.”
The Dragons, who will make Manila their temporary home, will also compete simultaneously in the East Asia Super League (EASL).
EASL’s home-and-away format is scheduled to tipoff by October.
Bay Area is the first foreign side to join the PBA as a guest team since Canada’s UBC Thunderbirds and US Pro-Am selection competed in the 2004 Fiesta Conference.
Beyer said the Dragons, who will also parade an import, won’t be a pushover.
“This is going to be half-national team level Chinese players. We’re going to have all of the top players from Hong Kong and we’re also going to have top players from Chinese-Taipei, who are coming into the free agency cycle from the P.League+.”