A familiar opponent awaits Barangay Ginebra when it plays in the East Asia Super League (EASL) for the very first time this October.
Following the official draw for Season 2 of the league's inaugural home-and-away format, the Kings found themselves bunched with the Bay Area Dragons in Group B, while reigning Governors' Cup champion TNT Tropang Giga was drawn in Group A.
The Kings and Dragons played in a memorable Commissioner's Cup finals early this year in a best-of-seven series that went the full route and won by Ginebra, 114-99, before a record crowd of 54,589 at the Philippine Arena.
With the Kings and Dragons in Group B are Ryukyu Golden Kings, the reigning B. League champion, and Seoul SK Knights
The Golden Kings have in their lineup former Gilas Pilipinas member Carl Tamayo, while the Knights just signed Filipino guard Juan Gomez De Liano.
Sponsored content: On the other hand, joining TNT in Group A are Chiba Jets, P. League+ champion Taipei Fubon Braves, and defending EASL champion Anyang KGC.
Anyang, the current Korean Basketball League (KBL) title holder, is expected to parade anew Gilas Pilipinas training pool member Rhenz Abando.
The official draw was held in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Under the new format, the four teams in each group play each other twice - once at home and once away.
The top two teams in the standings in each group at the end of the eliminations will advance to the Final Four slated in March next year.
Sponsored content: EASL co-founder and CEO Matt Beyer graced the draw event which was live streamed to all EASL stakeholders including officials from FIBA and all league partners. (RG)
