HK Eastern PBA-bound anew

Two foreign teams are set to join the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for its 50th season.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said Hong Kong Eastern will return for the league’s golden season as well as another foreign team.

“There are two foreign teams that want to join us. We will see if we can accommodate both,” Marcial said during the league’s 50 Greatest Players Gala Night at Solaire Resort North.

“Eastern wants it and there is another foreign team who wants to join. Hopefully we could give them a chance.”

Eastern recently competed in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup where it finished seventh with a 7-5 win-loss record.

The Hong Kong-based squad fell to eventual champion TNT, 109-93, in the quarterfinal round.

Back in 2022, the Bay Area Dragons, led by Australia national team head coach Brian Goorjian, played in the 48th Commissioner’s Cup and made it all the way to the finals.

However, the Dragons lost to Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-seven championship series.

Game 7 of that match set the largest attendance in a PBA game with 54,589 spectators at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

As for the PBA’s participation in the FIBA Basketball Champions League Asia, Marcial said they are discussing which team will represent the league as TNT withdrew due to injuries.

The Tropang 5G were supposed to represent the PBA in the prestigious inter-continental club competition after winning the 49th PBA Commissioner’s Cup over Ginebra in seven games.

“Yes, we already talked about it. We will write a letter to FIBA since TNT had a lot of injuries,” Marcial said.