The New Taipei Kings, champions of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League’s (TPBL) inaugural season, are to compete in the East Asia Super League (EASL) for the third consecutive year, the league announced yesterday.
The Kings will join P.League+ (PLG) teams the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and the Taipei Fubon Braves in competing against top teams from other East Asian countries.
“New Taipei is a proven winner and has reached the top time and time again in our league,” EASL chief executive officer Henry Kerins was quoted as saying in a statement. “EASL is the Champions League of Asian basketball, and with New Taipei, we’re adding another true champion. They’ve shown they’re one of the best teams in Asia, and we’re excited to see what they do this season.”
Photo courtesy of the New Taipei Kings via CNA
The announcement confirmed New Taipei City as the 13th team to join the upcoming season, which is set to feature three teams each from Taiwan and Japan, two each from Hong Kong, South Korea and the Philippines, and one from Mongolia.
Despite participating in the previous two seasons, New Taipei City would this year enter as TPBL champions.
“Given the recent collaboration between the P.League+ and TPBL, we are pleased to welcome the TPBL’s New Taipei Kings into our longstanding partnership with EASL and its upcoming season,” PLG chief executive officer Charles “Blackie” Chen said in the statement.
The Kings, who joined the TPBL in the off-season, secured their spot in the previous EASL season by clinching the PLG championship in 2023-2024. Their participation in the next EASL season had remained uncertain until yesterday’s confirmation.
On Thursday last week, TPBL commissioner Chuang Jui-hsiung confirmed that discussions were ongoing about a collaboration between the PLG and TPBL for next season, with a combined total of 10 teams likely to compete in a unified regular season and championship without a formal merger.
Also yesterday, the PLG confirmed it had received an application from the Hung Kuo group to join the league, following the recent disbandment of the Kaohsiung Steelers.
The league and the three PLG teams welcomed the application, but emphasized that “in the next two years, the PLG would prioritize the two leagues’ collaboration and adhere to the letters of intent,” expressing hope that “Taiwan’s basketball talent and resources can firmly work together.”
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