MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The brand new season of the East Asia Super League (EASL) gets underway in the league’s tip-off event at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, October 2.

The rising league in East Asia featuring champion teams from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines will highlight two heavyweight matchups to begin the season. 

2023 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champions San Miguel Beermen will go up against 2024 KBL runners-up Suwon KT Sonicboom while another home team, the Meralco Bolts will clash against the Macau Black Bears. The Bolts are the 2024 Philippine Cup titlists while the Black Bears are the Macau Basketball League winners.

The Beermen and the Sonicboom face off at 6:00 pm local time while the Bolts do battle with the Black Bears right after at 8:00 pm.

The EASL offers unique visibility from fans and spectators alike as teams go head-to-head to claim the title of the best in the region. 

“Starting the season in Manila is a perfect way to showcase the passion and energy of EASL, both on the court and off it. We expect high-intensity competition, with exciting entertainment and activations for fans to experience during the games,” EASL CEO Henry Kerins said. “EASL Tip-Off 2024 is just the beginning of what we expect to be another amazing season of the best basketball in Asia.”

The EASL Tipoff-Off event 2024 is just the beginning of an exciting season filled with blockbuster matches in each slate of games. 

The EASL season runs through from October to March 2025 with a total of 34 games scheduled across the region in each of the participating teams’ countries. Like the previous season, the EASL will culminate its season in the EASL Final Four in March with the location to be determined soon.