EASL Champions Week

Last updated
EASL Champions Week
2023 EASL Champions Week logo.svg
Tournament details
CountryJapan
Dates1–5 March 2023
Season2023
Teams8
Final positions
Champions Flag of South Korea.svg Anyang KGC
Runners-up Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul SK Knights
Third place Flag of Hong Kong.svg Bay Area Dragons
Fourth place Flag of Japan.svg Ryukyu Golden Kings
Awards
Best player Flag of the United States.svg Omari Spellman (Anyang) [1]
←  2019 (pre-season tournaments era)
2023–24  →

The EASL Champions Week was a pre-season tournament of the East Asia Super League, an international basketball club competition involving teams from domestic leagues in Japan, South Korea, Philippines and Taiwan, as well as a franchise team representing Greater China. [2] [3] The Champions Week was held from 1 to 5 March 2023. [4]

Contents

The Champions Week was conceptualized after the regular season was postponed. The regular season was originally scheduled to be held from 12 October 2022 to February 2023, under a home and away format and a Final Four knockout stage. [5]

The winners received USD 250,000, while the runners-up and third-place teams received USD 100,000 and USD 50,000, respectively. [6] [7]

Team allocation

The eight teams which qualified for the then-2022–23 EASL season qualified for the Champions Week. [8] Four leagues are represented for the 2023 EASL. The champions and runners-up of the Japan B.League and the Korean Basketball League [9] as well as the champions of Taiwan's P. League+ [10] Hong Kong based Bay Area Chun Yu Phoenixes, a franchise team not part of any domestic league also participated. The league considers the P. League+ champions and the Phoenixes as representatives of "Greater China". [5] For the Philippines, the top two finishing teams of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup qualified. [11]

LeagueCountry or regionBerths
EASL (franchise team)Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong 1
P. League+ Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Chinese Taipei [a] 1
B.League Flag of Japan.svg Japan 2
Korean Basketball League Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 2
Philippine Basketball Association Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines 2

Qualified teams

TeamDomestic league standing
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Bay Area Dragons N/A (EASL franchise)
Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Taipei Fubon Braves 2021–22 P. League+ champions
Flag of Japan.svg Utsunomiya Brex 2021–22 B.League champions
Flag of Japan.svg Ryukyu Golden Kings 2021–22 B.League runners-up
Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul SK Knights 2021–22 Korean Basketball League champions
Flag of South Korea.svg Anyang KGC 2021–22 Korean Basketball League runners-up
Flag of the Philippines.svg San Miguel Beermen 2022 PBA Philippine Cup champions
Flag of the Philippines.svg TNT Tropang Giga 2022 PBA Philippine Cup runners-up

Imports

Each team can select two foreigners into active roster in each game, [12] plus an Asian heritage import or naturalized player. [13]

TeamForeignerHeritage player
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Bay Area Dragons Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Andrew Nicholson Flag of the United States.svg Myles Powell — Flag of the Philippines.svg Sedrick Barefield
Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Taipei Fubon Braves Flag of Ukraine.svg Ihor Zaytsev Flag of the United States.svg Mike Singletary Flag of the United States.svg Chris Johnson —
Flag of Japan.svg Utsunomiya Brex Flag of the United States.svg Grant Jerrett Flag of the United States.svg Josh Scott — Flag of South Korea.svg Yang Jae-min
Flag of Japan.svg Ryukyu Golden Kings Flag of the United States.svg Allen Durham Flag of the United States.svg Jack Cooley — Flag of the Philippines.svg Carl Tamayo
Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul SK Knights Flag of the United States.svg Leon Williams Flag of the United States.svg Jameel Warney ——
Flag of South Korea.svg Anyang KGC Flag of the United States.svg Omari Spellman Flag of the United States.svg Darryl Monroe — Flag of the Philippines.svg Rhenz Abando
Flag of the Philippines.svg San Miguel Beermen Flag of the United States.svg Cameron Clark Flag of the United States.svg Jessie Govan ——
Flag of the Philippines.svg TNT Tropang Giga Flag of the United States.svg Jalen Hudson Flag of Nigeria.svg Daniel Ochefu ——

Venues

Games were held in Japan, on the home venues of the two qualified Japanese teams – Utsunomiya Brex and the Ryukyu Golden Kings. There were ten games in total. Utsunomiya hosted six of the eight group stage games, while Ryukyu hosted the remaining two games, as well as the third place game and final. [14] [15]

Okinawa City Utsunomiya
Japan location map with side map of the Ryukyu Islands.svg
Red pog.svg
Okinawa
Red pog.svg
Nikkan
EASL Champions Week (Japan)
Okinawa Arena Nikkan Arena Tochigi
Capacity: 10,000Capacity: 5,000
Okinawa arena 1.jpg Exterior of Main Arena, Nikkan Arena Tochigi.jpg

Draw

The official draw for the 2022–23 EASL season was held on 28 June 2022 at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila in Taguig. [16] [17] For the Champions Week the groupings were retained. [8]

The teams were drawn in two groups. A coin flipping mechanic was used; each champion in each domestic league was to choose a coin side. The winner of the coin flip was placed on Group A while the other placed in Group B. [11] [18] The identity of the Philippine representatives were yet to be determined at the time of the draw.

Another draw was held to determine the schedule of the games. [8]

Group stage

On 10 January 2023, EASL released the full schedule for the tournament. [19] Each team in each of the two groups would face only two of three of the other teams in their group unlike in a traditional round robin format. [20]

Group A

PosTeamPldWLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 Flag of South Korea.svg Anyang KGC 220236156+804 [b] Final
2 Flag of Japan.svg Ryukyu Golden Kings 220179146+334 [b] Third place game
3 Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Taipei Fubon Braves 202147177−302
4 Flag of the Philippines.svg San Miguel Beermen 202155238−832
Source: EASL
Notes:
  1. ↑ Taiwan, officially Republic of China. The organizers of the EASL [5] and FIBA uses the designation of "Chinese Taipei".
  2. 1 2 Anyang KGC +80 PD, Ryukyu Golden Kings +33 PD. [21]
1 March 2023
17:00
Taipei Fubon Braves Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg 69–94 Flag of South Korea.svg Anyang KGC
Scoring by quarter: 19–24, 17–25, 21–22, 12–23
Pts: Zaytsev 20
Rebs: Singletary 15
Asts: Singletary 6		Pts: Spellman 22
Rebs: Monroe 25
Asts: Monroe 7
Nikkan Arena Tochigi, Utsunomiya

2 March 2023
19:30
Ryukyu Golden Kings Flag of Japan.svg 96–68 Flag of the Philippines.svg San Miguel Beermen
Scoring by quarter:24–17, 25–11, 21–20, 26–20
Pts: Cooley, Imamura 20
Rebs: Cooley, Durham 16
Asts: Durham 7		Pts: Clark 25
Rebs: Tautuaa 10
Asts: Enciso 6
Nikkan Arena Tochigi, Utsunomiya
4 March 2023
16:00
Anyang KGC Flag of South Korea.svg 142–87 Flag of the Philippines.svg San Miguel Beermen
Scoring by quarter:40–20, 29–16, 40–29, 33–22
Pts: Spellman 53
Rebs: Monroe 17
Asts: Monroe 14		Pts: Clark 35
Rebs: Clark 10
Asts: Perez 5
4 March 2023
19:00
Ryukyu Golden Kings Flag of Japan.svg 83–78 Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Taipei Fubon Braves
Scoring by quarter: 20–20, 25–25, 23–8, 15–25
Pts: Cooley 24
Rebs: Cooley 13
Asts: Kishimoto 7		Pts: Johnson 28
Rebs: Johnson 9
Asts: Chou, Zaytsev 4

Group B

PosTeamPldWLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul SK Knights 220172153+194 Final
2 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Bay Area Dragons 211180182−23 [a] Third place game
3 Flag of Japan.svg Utsunomiya Brex 211189162+273 [a]
4 Flag of the Philippines.svg TNT Tropang Giga 202135179−442
Source: EASL
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Bay Area Dragons 1–0 Utsunomiya Brex [22]

1 March 2023
19:30
Utsunomiya Brex Flag of Japan.svg 99–66 Flag of the Philippines.svg TNT Tropang Giga
Scoring by quarter: 25–26, 32–8, 22–21, 20–11
Pts: Scott 24
Rebs: Scott 14
Asts: Hiejima 6		Pts: Hudson 28
Rebs: Ochefu 9
Asts: Oftana 3
Nikkan Arena Tochigi, Utsunomiya
2 March 2023
17:00
Seoul SK Knights Flag of South Korea.svg 92–84 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Bay Area Dragons
Scoring by quarter: 18–20, 24–27, 22–20, 28–17
Pts: Warney 30
Rebs: Warney 19
Asts: Kim, Warney 7		Pts: Nicholson 35
Rebs: Nicholson 15
Asts: Powell 8
Nikkan Arena Tochigi, Utsunomiya

3 March 2023
17:00
TNT Tropang Giga Flag of the Philippines.svg 69–80 Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul SK Knights
Scoring by quarter:28–25, 14–16, 13–16, 14–23
Pts: Oftana 16
Rebs: Ochefu 12
Asts: M. Williams 4		Pts: Kim, Warney 21
Rebs: Williams 21
Asts: Warney 11
Nikkan Arena Tochigi, Utsunomiya
3 March 2023
19:30
Utsunomiya Brex Flag of Japan.svg 90–96 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Bay Area Dragons
Scoring by quarter: 17–23, 32–24, 16–26, 25–23
Pts: Jerrett 22
Rebs: Scott 12
Asts: Hiejima 7		Pts: Nicholson 26
Rebs: Nicholson 12
Asts: Powell 10
Nikkan Arena Tochigi, Utsunomiya

Final round

Third place game

5 March 2023
16:00
Ryukyu Golden Kings Flag of Japan.svg 70–90 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Bay Area Dragons
Scoring by quarter: 14–16, 14–28, 23–30, 19–16
Pts: Durham 19
Rebs: Watanabe 8
Asts: Flippin 5		Pts: Powell 29
Rebs: Nicholson 8
Asts: Yang 5

Final

5 March 2023
19:00
Anyang KGC Flag of South Korea.svg 90–84 Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul SK Knights
Scoring by quarter: 25–27, 24–10, 17–24, 24–23
Pts: Monroe 21
Rebs: Monroe 16
Asts: Byeon, Monroe 5		Pts: Kim 25
Rebs: Williams 10
Asts: Kim, Oh 6

References

  1. ↑ Odeven, Ed (5 March 2023). "Anyang Tops Seoul to End EASL Champions Week on a High Note | SportsLook". SportsLook. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  2. ↑ "EASL 2022–2023 Season". East Asia Super League. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  3. ↑ Naredo, Camille (2 December 2021). "PBA wants to prove it is best in Asia through EASL". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  4. ↑ Ulanday, John Bryan (8 December 2022). "EASL tuloy na sa Marso sa Japan" [EASL resumes in March in Japan]. Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). Philippine Star. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "East Asia Super League Debuts Season 1 of Premier Home-and-Away Pan-Regional League in 2022". East Asia Super League. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022. The newly formed Bay Area Chun Yu Phoenixes and the championship team from Chinese Taipei's P.LEAGUE+, are the Greater China representatives.
  6. ↑ "East Asia Super League Announces Broadcast and Streaming Partners for EASL Champions Week | EASL". East Asia Super League. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Dalupang, Denison Rey A. (1 March 2023). "All you need to know about the EASL Champion's Week". INQUIRER. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "EASL secures US$40m to fund expansion, CEO Bayer talks up 'bullish' outlook". South China Morning Post. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  9. ↑ "Super League shakes up Asian hoops". China Daily. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "P.League+ winner to play in East Asian tournament – Taipei Times". Taipei Times. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  11. 1 2 Henson, Joaquin (16 June 2022). "EASL draw set in Manila". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  12. ↑ 吳孟儒 (2 March 2023). "東超「改款」冠軍週 賽程縮水不減料". 自由時報 . Retrieved 8 November 2023. 此外，每支隊伍每場可登錄2名洋將，另開放亞洲外援，至於洋將之外的華裔球員、外籍生都算是本土球員。
  13. ↑ Henson, Joaquin M. (17 February 2023). "Gearing up for EASL". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  14. ↑ "EASL Champions Week to be held in Japan". The Manila Times. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  15. ↑ Odeven, Ed (28 February 2023). "EASL Champions Week Set to Tip Off in Utsunomiya". Japan Forward . Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  16. ↑ "EASL sets June 28 draw in Manila". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "East Asia Super League unveils group draw for debut season". South China Morning Post. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  18. ↑ Giongco, Mark (28 June 2022). "PBA Philippine Cup champion grouped with Taipei, Anyang, Ryukyu". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  19. ↑ "East Asia Super League Reveals EASL Champions Week Matchups and Game Schedule". East Asia Super League . 10 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  20. ↑ "KGC, SK Knights jet off to Japan for EASL Champions Week". Korea JoongAngDaily. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  21. ↑ Terrado, Reuben. "Carl Tamayo scores 13 in home debut as Ryukyu sweeps EASL group games". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 4 March 2023. Despite ending up undefeated, however, Ryukyu was relegated to the battle for third place due to a lower point differential with Anyang KGC.
  22. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (3 March 2023). "Bay Area Dragons beat Brex to book spot in EASL third-place playoff". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 3 March 2023. The Dragons ended up in a tie with the Brex, but they advanced to the battle-for-third due to the winner-over-the-other tiebreak rule.
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