EASL: PBA Philippine Cup champion set for early test vs Korea’s Anyang KGC

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA Philippine Cup champion will face Korea’s Anyang KGC, which signed NCAA rookie MVP Rhenz Abando, in the opener of the East Asia Super League (EASL) on October 12.

The Letran standout could face his fellow Filipinos with Anyang hosting the champion of the ongoing PBA first conference in Korea to kickoff EASL’s inaugural home-and-away season as the league unveiled its schedule on Wednesday.

The Philippine Cup’s runner-up will host the Bay Area Dragons, led by former NBA player Andrew Nicholson, to complete the doubleheader.

Four teams are clashing in the Philippine Cup semifinals, where the two tickets to the EASL will be earned. Defending champion TNT is facing Magnolia in a rematch of last year’s finals, while No.1 San Miguel is taking on Meralco.

The PBA champion will join Group A with Anyang, P. League+ champion Taipei Fubon Braves, and Japan B.League runner-up Ryukyu Golden Kings.

The Philippine Cup runner-up is slated in Group B with the Dragons, Japan’s Utsunomiya Brex, and  KBL’s Seoul SK Knights.

Taipans Fubon Braves will host Ryukyu Golden Kings on October 19, followed by the clash of the champions between Utsunomiya Brex against KBL’s Seoul SK Knights to be held in Japan.

PBA runner-up will visit the Bay Area Dragons on October 16, while the Philippine Cup champion will host Ryukyu on November 2 before the Fiba window.

Top two teams in each group advance to the crossover Final Four on March 3, with the two teams to survive playing for the $1 million final on March 5.

EASL SCHEDULE

EASL’s schedule of games for season 1.

EASL’s schedule of games for season 1.