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Mike Chan

Hong Kong Eastern’s regional-title-winners said they were playing on another level in the East Asia Super League (EASL) after losing in their tournament debut on Wednesday.
The two-time Asean Basketball League (ABL) winners, who joined the EASL in the summer, were beaten 78-67 by Japan’s B.League champions Hiroshima Dragonflies at the F-PICO Arena in Fukuyama.
However, Eastern’s Bosnian head coach, Mensur Bajramovic, backed his team to bounce back in the next match, when they host the Dragonflies at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai on October 30.
“We didn’t have the concentration and consistency both on the offensive and defensive ends to make the game closer to maybe have a chance to win,” he said. “This [league] was a different level to anything we’ve played before, and we were making mistakes that we usually don’t.
“But we can’t be totally disappointed with our first game; this is a new team for us [six players were signed in the off-season] and we didn’t have a very long time together.

“We will be better game by game and we will have a better game in the next one when we face the same opponent in Hong Kong.”
Eastern captain Stephen Chan Siu-wing, who was part of the ABL-winning sides in 2017 and 2023, echoed his manager’s sentiments and backed his teammates to improve moving forward.
“It was a tough game for us, and we could feel the difference on reading the court,” Chan said. “It was also a physical game for us, and the league was much tougher as all the teams were champions from the best Asian countries.
“We needed some time to adjust to the intensity of the defence, which destructed our pace a lot. I believe we can do better in the next game – we just need to communicate more on and off the court, and minimise our mistakes.”
Canadian centre Chris McLaughlin, who chipped in with 20 points to go with his 12 rebounds, said Eastern were second best throughout, but he and his teammates hoped to learn from the experience.
“We allowed them to set the tone and be the bully in the game – they came out very physical and caused us to adjust,” the 32-year-old said. “But I think it was a good wake-up call.
“Next time we will be more prepared for this style of play and match the energy right from the start.”
Following an evenly contested opening seven minutes, the Dragonflies took control and did not relinquish their lead.
Eastern showed promise with an 11-4 run at the start of the second half to cut the deficit to just three points before the hosts ran out comfortable winners.
McLaughlin, who was named the tournament’s best defensive player en route to victory in the 2023 ABL championship, said it was the 18 turnovers – three more than the Dragonflies – that hurt his side.
“[The turnovers were] more of a mental lapse,” he said. “We were trailing by only three but that was where the turnovers issues lie.

“After a couple of turnovers and mistakes, the lead was extended. We have to be more disciplined in those moments and stay the course.”
Cameron Clark, a recent arrival from the United States who led the team with 24 points and also grabbed 10 boards, was one of the few Eastern players with EASL experience, having played for Philippines outfit San Miguel Beermen at the EASL Champions Week in March 2023.
The 6 feet 7 inch (2.01 metre) centre said the hosts controlled the game almost from the beginning, and that Eastern were not really in it until the start of the second half.
“We have to be more disciplined on our shot selections and be more physical,” the 33-year-old said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do but this was a great test for us.”
Guard Marco Leung Ka-hin, a key member of last year’s ABL victory, shot only 33 per cent on court and missed both of his long-range shots.
“There were some nerves for me playing in the EASL for the first time,” the 24-year-old said. “Their defence gave me pressure too, so it was a confidence sort of thing out there.
“But I don’t think this loss will impact the team [in a negative way] too much; rather, it will spur us on to our first win.”


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East Asia Super League

East Asia Super League: Hong Kong Eastern facing ‘different level’ after losing first game

Glen Yang, who joined Hong Kong Eastern earlier this month, in action against the Hiroshima Dragonflies. Photo: Handout

Eastern’s Marco Leung tries to find a way through in the defeat against Hiroshima Dragonflies. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Eastern head coach Mensur Bajramovic believes his team will bounce back. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong basketball star Glen Yang to play for Eastern as local player in 2 regional events

Glen Yang (centre) in action for the Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers in the Taiwanese P. League+ last year. Photo: Handout

Eastern have re-signed French-Taiwanese guard Steven Guinchard, who first played for the franchise in 2016. 

East Asia Super League: Hong Kong Eastern to join 10-team competition next season

Hong Kong Eastern under Zeljko Pavlicevic won the Asean Basketball League in their final season in that competition. Photo: Hong Kong Eastern

B. League outfit Chiba Jets were crowned EASL champions in March. Photo: EASL

EASL co-founder and CEO Henry Kerins says the competition is getting bigger and better. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Eastern eye place in mainland China basketball league with Philippines venture

A1 Division champions Hong Kong Eastern are exploring plans to play in mainland China. Photo: Hong Kong Eastern

Duncan Reid of the Bay Area Dragons in action in the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo: Handout

Eastern heading to Basketball Champions League qualifiers, first Hong Kong side to play in tournament in 22 years

Hong Kong Eastern have borrowed Yip Yiu-pong from rivals South China for their Champions League push. Photo: Handout

The Hong Kong Eastern team will leave for Mongolia on March 31. Photo: Handout

American forward Isaiah Eisendorf has joined Eastern for the tournament in Mongolia. Photo: Handout

Asean Basketball League: Hong Kong Eastern captain Chan Siu-wing praises team’s adaptability during title success

Hong Kong Eastern won their second ABL title in franchise history on Tuesday

Chan Siu-wing (centre) celebrates scoring a three-pointer in Tuesday’s 73-60 win over Saigon Heat. Photo: Handout

Chan Siu-wing (left) and Wu Cheuk-pan (middle) pose with Leung Ka-hin after winning the ABL championship on Tuesday. Photo: Handout

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Basketball

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The two-time ABL winners, who joined the higher-grade competition in the summer, were beaten 78-67 by Japan’s B.League champions Hiroshima Dragonflies


The two-time ABL winners, who joined the higher-grade competition in the summer, were beaten 78-67 by Japan’s B.League champions Hiroshima Dragonflies.


East Asia Super League: Hong Kong Eastern facing ‘different level’ after losing first game

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The two-time ABL winners, who joined the higher-grade competition in the summer, were beaten 78-67 by Japan’s B.League champions Hiroshima Dragonflies

The two-time ABL winners, who joined the higher-grade competition in the summer, were beaten 78-67 by Japan’s B.League champions Hiroshima Dragonflies