MANILA – A new league is set to usher in next year.
The East Asia Super League (EASL) and FIBA forged an agreement on Thursday for the formation of a home-and-away league that will pit teams from China, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
FIBA will be supporting the new league for the next 10 years.
“EASL is thrilled to receive FIBA’s support for the launch of our league,” said EASL chief executive officer Matt Beyer. “With top teams from the Greater China region, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines, we are confident it will become one of the top professional basketball competitions in the world by 2025.”
The EASL will start with eight teams playing in the group stages that will begin in October or right after the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
The top four teams will move on to the semifinals with the winners facing off in the finals.
Both rounds will take place in February in the following year.
FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis sees the EASL as beneficial for the growth of basketball in East Asia.
“The recognition of the East Asia Super League is based on a shown commitment to developing basketball in the region, and is in line with FIBA’s club competition strategy that is to shape international club competitions,” Zagklis said.