Newly-crowned PBA Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beermen and runner-up TNT Tropang Giga will be tested right away on opening night of the 2022-23 East Asia Super League.
The Beermen with import Thomas Robinson in tow, are going up against Anyang KGC in Seoul, Korea, while the Tropang Giga and import Cameron Oliver will have their hands full against the Bay Area Dragons in Manila.
Anyang KGC, runner-up in the Korean Basketball League last season, will also see Filipino recruit Rhenz Abando, who was NCAA Rookie-MVP last year with reigning champion Letran Knights, in action.
The Beermen and Tropang Giga are coming off fresh from their grueling all-Filipino finals series that went the full route, with San Miguel emerging winner in the deciding Game 7.
San Miguel is with Anyang KGC in Group A with Taipei Fubon Braves and Ryukyu Golden Kings.
With TNT and Bay Area Dragons in Group B meanwhile, are Utsonomiya Brex and Seoul SK Knights.
“We welcome San Miguel and TNT. We know from EASL’s previous event just how good these teams are, and we can’t wait to match up with them again and travel to Manila,” said Seoul SK Knights star Kim Sun Hyung.
Curiously, Ryukyu Golden Kings signed up former San Miguel player Jay Washington for their coming season campaign in the Japan B League.
The 40-year-old Washington played five seasons with the Beermen, where he won two championships and two Best Player of the Conference award.
The Kings and Beermen will meet for the first time on Nov. 2.
The 6’7” forward also had stints with the Tropang Giga and won a pair of title with them, the last one coming during the 2021 Philippine Cup.