San Miguel and Meralco will represent the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the East Asia Super League (EASL) 2024-25 season.
The Beermen and the Bolts were selected to compete in the EASL based on their performances during the 2023-24 PBA season.
San Miguel is the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup champions and also finished as runners-up in the Philippine Cup while Meralco is the 2023-24 Philippine Cup champions.
Commenting on the qualification of the Beermen and the Bolts, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said, “The PBA is excited to send two of its champion teams to compete in the EASL. The San Miguel Beermen and the Meralco Bolts showed their strength last season by winning the Commissioner’s Cup and Philippine Cup, respectively.
“They will represent Filipino basketball with pride, and we hope that one of them will be crowned the champion of East Asia next season.”
The Beermen have been placed into Group A for the Group Stage, where they are scheduled to face Japan B.LEAGUE champions, the Hiroshima Dragonflies, Korean Basketball League (KBL) runners-up, the Suwon KT Sonicboom, and P. LEAGUE+ runners-up, the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.
The Bolts, on the other hand, have been placed into Group B, where they are slated to match up against Japan B.LEAGUE runners-up, the Ryukyu Golden Kings, KBL champions, the Busan KCC Egis, and P. LEAGUE+ champions, the New Taipei Kings.
The draw for the EASL 2024-25 season Group Stage was made earlier this year in agreement with the participating leagues.
EASL CEO Henry Kerins said, “Filipino teams and fans bring great competitiveness and passion to the EASL, and we are delighted to confirm the participation of the San Miguel Beermen and the Meralco Bolts next season.
“We expect them to compete strongly for the championship against the best teams from the rest of East Asia.”
