FILE–Bay Area Dragons during the awarding ceremony after finishing second to the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—The Bay Area Dragons may be sporting a new team logo but that isn’t their biggest news in tow.
The team composed of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei players, will be playing majority of their East Asia Super League games in Hong Kong, starting next month.
“We expect the Dragons to bring Hong Kongers immense excitement, inspiration and pride. Dragons’ games will be the hottest sports tickets in town,” said EASL CEO and co-founder Matt Beyer.
The Dragons will now also be called the Chun Yu Bay Area Dragons after partnering with the Chun Yu Basketball Club and recognition of the Hong Kong Basketball Association.
Brian Goorjian will continue to call the shots for the Dragons to mentor mainstays Zhu Songwei and Liu Chuanxing among others.
The Bay Area Dragons are also confirmed to return to the Philippines after a superb showing in the PBA last year.
They showed out in the PBA Commissioners’ Cup which saw them fall short by just one game to take the import-laden conference championship.
Now, they have a chance to notch the title again while improving their ranking in the EASL.
“The PBA is very excited about adding in a Hong Kong element to our upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup, and we look forward to the Bay Area Dragons team re-joining the PBA,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.
Joining the Dragons in the EASL’s group stage action are also their rival Barangay Ginebra, 2023 Japan B.League champions Ryukyu Golden Kings with Carl Tamayo and the runner-ups of last season’s Korean Basketball League Seoul SK Knights.