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The Bay Area Dragons were the fourth guest team to reach the championship series in the PBA’s 47-year history. Photo: Handout
SportBasketball

Bay Area Dragons to face region’s best basketball sides in Hong Kong as East Asia Super League returns for second season

  • Hong Kong franchise to play home games at Southorn Stadium in league and PBA Commissioner’s Cup
  • Top sides from Philippines, South Korea and Japan to play in city as part of league’s group stage
FIBA (International Basketball Federation)
Mike Chan
Mike Chan
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Bay Area Dragons will play their most of their home matches in Hong Kong next season, bringing some of the biggest basketball sides in the region to the city.

The East Asia Super League club expect to play group matches at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai, and also plan to host their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup in Hong Kong.

At an EASL draw last month, Dragons were placed in Group B alongside Barangay Ginebra San Miguel from the Philippines, Japanese side Ryukyu Golden Kings, and Seoul SK Knights from South Korea.

Champions Anyang KGC of South Korea, Taipei Fubon Braves from Taiwanese P League+, Japanese outfit Chiba Jets, and TNT Tropang Giga from the Philippines are in Group A.

“We expect the Dragons to bring Hongkongers immense excitement, inspiration and pride,” Matt Beyer, the league’s CEO and co-founder, said. “Dragons’ games will be the hottest sports tickets in town.”

Brian Goorjian will return for a second season as head coach of the Bay Area Dragons. Photo: Handout

In addition to the league, which starts in October and runs until March 2024, the team is returning to the PBA competition for a second season after a highly successful debut.

The Dragons finished top of the regular season table before advancing to the finals, where they fell to Barangay Ginebra in a seven-game thriller.

“The PBA is very excited about adding a Hong Kong element to our upcoming Commissioner’s Cup, and we look forward to the Bay Area Dragons team rejoining us,” Willie Marcial, the PBA Commissioner, said.

The Dragons will continue to be led by head coach Brian Goorjian, who will be coaching the Australian team at next month’s Fiba World Cup. The Boomers, who took bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, are in Group E alongside Japan, Germany and Finland.

Three countries will co-host the World Cup for the first time in its history, with matches being played in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia between August 25 and September 10.

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