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Mike Chan

The days of Hong Kong Eastern fighting for basketball glory on three fronts appear to be over, after senior officials said their only overseas matches would be in the East Asia Super League.
Speaking at the team’s media day in Yuen Long on Tuesday, team officials believed reducing their commitments would yield more “positive” results compared to last season.
And team leader Wilson Choi Fong-yue said reclaiming the domestic title they won in 2023 would be “the priority for us”.
“We were unbeaten in the regular season but we were stretched as the season went on,” Choi said. “Going down in the [semi-finals of the] local league play-offs was heartbreaking for us.
Apart from competing in the A1 Division League and the EASL, Eastern also played in the Philippines Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup last season and were occasionally required to play in all three in the space of 48 hours.

The demands on the players, physically and mentally, meant they ended the year without any silverware.
“It remains to be seen how the local league’s schedules will look, but it depends on the local basketball association,” Choi said. “We may still need to play back-to-back games, or with only a short turnaround, but I think the team is in a better position to fight for glory.”
The club will play in the EASL for the second year of a two-year deal and Choi hopes they can afford to continue playing against the region’s best. Money, though, could be a problem.
“We want to do well, but other teams are spending big, so it’s really competitive,” Choi said. “The top Japanese teams were running on a budget equivalent to HK$266 million and still making money.
“Some of the top teams of the Korean Basketball League also had a budget in the region of HK$70 million, while we are below HK$20 million. But with such a competitive league, this would be good for developing our players, so yes, we want to continue playing in it.”
Eastern won half of their six group matches last season to finish third and missed out on the semi-finals in Macau.
With 12 teams involved this time around, Eastern have been placed in Group A alongside Taipei Fubon Braves, Utsunomiya Brex of Japan, and the Seoul SK Knights, where Eastern begin their season next Wednesday.
Their first home games will be against the Braves and Knights on December 28 and January 7, respectively.
Group B has thrown together Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of Taiwan, Japanese side Ryukyu Golden Kings, Macau Black Bears and Meralco Bolts of the Philippines.
League new boys Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos are in Group C alongside Alvark Tokyo, New Taipei Kings and South Korean side Changwon LG Sakers.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the play-offs, and two sides with the best records will go straight into the semi-finals. The play-offs will be held in a yet-to-be-announced city from March 18 to 22.


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Sport

Basketball

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Eastern have ended their involvement in the Philippines Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup to limit their travel commitments


Hong Kong Eastern have ended their involvement in the Philippines Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup to limit their travel commitments.


Eastern opt against 3-front campaign, will focus on regional, domestic basketball glory

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong Eastern have ended their involvement in the Philippines Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup to limit their travel commitments

Hong Kong Eastern have ended their involvement in the Philippines Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup to limit their travel commitments