EASL Season 1 to postpone home-and-away games due to COVID-19 issues and will be replaced by “Champions Week” in Manila by early 2023.
THE East Asia Super League (EASL) Season 1 was forced to change format as the home-and-away supposed tournament will not push through initially set to open on October 12, due to the unstable COVID-19 situation throughout the region.
EASL announced on Monday, September 26, about two weeks before the season’s planned tipoff with games to be held in South Korea and Manila, separately.
“East Asia Super League (EASL) is announcing that the season format for Season 1 of competition is under discussion with each league taking into account ongoing COVID-19-related issues throughout the region,” it said in a statement.
“EASL’s focus is on operating Season 1 of game play in a responsible manner that allows for partner leagues to carry on with their domestic leagues uninterrupted by precarious travel situations,” it added.
With the change, EASL CEO Matt Beyer revealed that discussions are ongoing for a revised schedule which will feature a “Champions Week” tournament still with the eight qualifiers to be played in Manila by early 2023.
“Our mission remains to create the premier basketball league and entertainment experience in Asia, elevating the sport in the region,” said EASL chief executive officer Matt Bayer.
“Controlling variables and operating our season in the most responsible manner reduces uncertainty for all our stakeholders as international travel throughout the region rebounds incrementally.”
Eight teams will be competing in the maiden season of EASL including Korea’s Anyang and champions Seoul SK Knights, Hong Kong’s Bay Area, Japan B. League’s Utsonomiya Brex and Ryukyu Golden Kings, Taiwan’s Taipei Fubon Braves and Philippine representatives — SMB and TNT.
The league then said that it will still push through with its home-and-away season but will be staged around September to October next year.
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