LAPU-LAPU CITY – Hayden Blankley hopes to find success in the Philippines this time after going home empty-handed during his previous hunt.
The Australian winger is bent on helping New Taipei win it all in the East Asia Super League (EASL), fueled by the heartbreak he suffered when Bay Area fell short of clinching the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title.
“I’m very locked in,” he said during a media availability session shortly after the Kings’ practice at the Hoops Dome here on Thursday.
Blankley was among the former Dragons who took their talents elsewhere following the team’s shocking disbandment back in September.
(C) PBA Images
He was able to find a new home in New Taipei, and joining the P.League+ ball club, as fate would have it, gave him another opportunity to become involved with the upstart pan-regional competition once more.
Now, he has another chance to somewhat exorcise the ghost of the past, with the EASL opting to stage its Final Four in the country.
Blankley spent his rookie year as a pro in the Philippines when Bay Area joined the PBA as a guest team in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Mentored by Australia men’s team head coach Brian Goorjian, the team took the conference by storm and emerged as a heavy favorite to win it all.
Blankley himself was an integral piece of that squad with solid per-game averages of 9.3 points, 7.1 boards, and 2.4 assists.
However, the Dragons crossed paths with Ginebra in the Finals, and the crowd darlings would go on to win the crown in Game 7 by way of a 114-99 masterclass before a record 54,589 fans at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
They could’ve had a chance to run it back and seek redemption after confirming their return to the league for Season 48, until the sudden break-up.
Luckily for Blankley, he has another shot at glory. It may not be in the PBA, sure, but winning the EASL crown is as gratifying, no doubt.
“I’ve lost here in the Philippines. This is my second year playing professionally, so this is my next opportunity to win in my career so far,” said the 23-year-old cager out of West Texas A&M.
“I wanna win this, for sure.”
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