EASL cap off 2023-24 season with successful Final Four in Cebu

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The East Asia Super League (EASL) successfully concluded its 2023-24 season with the Final Four in the Philippines last March 8-10.

Japan B.League's Chiba Jets emerged as champions of the league's first home-and-away season by outlasting Seoul SK Knights of the Korean Basketball League in a finale befitting of a title bout, 72-69.

Yuki Togashi earned EASL Final Four Most Valuable Player behind averages of 25.0 points and 6.0 assists per game, as he steered the Jets to an eight-game sweep of the tournament.

The veteran internationalist received 'M-V-P!' chants in the closing seconds of the Final and upon receiving his trophy during the postgame awarding, as he earned the cheers and adoration of the appreciative crowd that filled up the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Togashi definitely deserved as much, especially following an outstanding performance in the Final. There, he finished with 22 points and 7 assists as he starred in the decisive endgame rally for the strong finish after figuring in a nip-and-tuck affair with the Knights.

"We want to thank the fans from the Philippines. It was like a home game for us. We're really glad to play in front of that," said the 30-year-old Togashi through a translator.

It was also because of the Final Four that Rhenz Abando played in the country in an Anyang uniform for the first time, much to the delight of his compatriots.

The former Philippines men's team stalwart battled through a back injury to make sure that he would play for the Red Boosters, winners of the EASL Champions Week 2023 in Japan, and mostly for the fans in the Semi-Finals against Seoul SK in an all-Korean clash.

It was, overall, a weekend of basketball celebration for the league, which was founded in 2017 and began with preseason tournaments before shifting into a full-fledged league six years later.

Serving as a highlight of EASL's stay in Cebu was the advisory board's meeting ahead of the Final Four, which included FIBA Executive Director-Asia, Mr. Hagop Khajirian.

Led by EASL executives and attended as well by top representatives from partner leagues, the discussion showed how much the pan-regional tilt aims for an even closer integration with FIBA and the other parties involved to further develop the competition in the seasons ahead.

 

The EASL's first home-and-away season lasted for five months. A total of eight clubs played, with the other four being 2023 B.League champions Ryukyu Golden Kings, 2023 P.League+ titlists Taipei Fubon Braves, and PBA outfits TNT Tropang Giga and Meralco Bolts.

FIBA