SAN Miguel and Meralco take on separate opponents in the opening games of the Home and Away Season 2 of the East Asia Super League today, Wednesday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Beermen will parade imports EJ Anosike and Quincy Miller against the Korean Basketball League team of Suwon KT Sonicboom in the 6:10 p.m. curtain raiser.
The Bolts, behind the trio of imports Allen Durham, DJ Kennedy, and naturalized player Ange Kouame, face newcomer Macau Black Bears in the main game at 8:10.
San Miguel and Meralco are looking to redeem themselves from last season’s campaign when both teams fell short of advancing to the Final Four in Lapu-Lapu City.
“It’s going to be one big show. We’re launching the EASL 2024-25 season. It’s the first time we’re doing it in Manila and we know how much Filipinos love the game of basketball. It’s not only an honor but more of an obligation to host the games here in Manila,” said Banjo Albano, vice president of Business Development and head of EASL Philippines in yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“We felt Manila is the best place to kick off the new season.”
Joining Albano, son of former Letran and national coach Larry Albano, in the publis sports program backed by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPlus, the country’s 24/7 sports app, was VP Head of Commercial and Broadcast Operations Adam Zecha.
Albano expects San Miguel and Meralco to be in contention for this season’s championship where the winning team wins the top prize of $1 million.
“On the Meralco side we know they’re coming on strong. Similar to what they did last season, they definitely won a lot of hearts, beating the B. League champions the season before, the Ryukyu Golden Kings, and they used that experience to win their first PBA championship,” said the EASL executive about the Bolts, reigning Philippine Cup champions.
“And for San Miguel, we know what they bring to the table. They have June Mar Fajardo, who as we all know, is one of the most dominant big men in Asia. And you add the veterans Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross, and firepower in Terrence (Romeo), CJ Perez, and Simon Enciso, and with two solid imports as well,” Albano said about the Beermen, the Commissioner’s Cup champion.
“I think they’re looking to represent the Philippines the best way they can and compete for the championship this season.”
San Miguel is bracketed in Group A with Suwon KT Sonicboom, B. League champion Hiroshima Dragonflies, Taoyuan Pilots of the P.League+, and new team Hongkong Eastern.
Meralco is in Group B with Macau Black Bears, Ryukyu Golden Kings, Korean Basketball League champion Busan KCC Egis, and P.League+ titleholder New Taipei Kings.
