Brgy. Ginebra, Bay Area take rivalry to EASL Season 2

When Brgy. Ginebra makes its debut in the East Asia Super League (EASL) in October, it will face a familiar foe.

Following the official draw for Season 2 of the league’s first home-and-away format, the Gin Kings were placed in Group B alongside the Bay Area Dragons, while the defending Governors’ Cup champion TNT Tropang Giga was placed in Group A.

Earlier this year, the crowd darlings and the Dragons played in a memorable Commissioner’s Cup finals in a best-of-seven series that went the distance and was won by Brgy. Ginebra, 114-99, in front of a record crowd of 54,545 at the Philippine Arena.

In Group B with the Gin Kings and Dragons are the reigning B. League champion Ryukyu Golden Kings and the Seoul SK Knights.

The Golden Kings have former Gilas Pilipinas player Carl Tamayo on their roster, while the Knights have recently signed Filipino wing Juan Gomez De Liano.

Chiba Jets, the P. League+ champion Taipei Fubon Braves, and the defending EASL champion Anyang KGC join TNT in Group A.

Anyang, the current Korean Basketball League (KBL) champion, is anticipated to showcase Rhenz Abando, a member of the Gilas Pilipinas training pool.

Wednesday’s official drawing was conducted in Hong Kong.

Under the revised format, each group’s four teams will face each other twice, once at home and once on the road.

At the conclusion of the eliminations, the top two teams in each group will advance to the Final Four in March of next year.

Matt Beyer, co-founder and CEO of the EASL, attended the draw event, which was live-streamed to all EASL stakeholders, including FIBA and league partner officials.