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Mike Chan

The chief of the East Asia Super League has revealed that he aims to bring Hong Kong’s matches in the regional basketball league to Kai Tak Sports Park after Eastern made their long-awaited home debut at the Southorn Stadium on Thursday.
However, Hong Kong Eastern threw away a seven-point halftime lead over Hiroshima Dragonflies to lose 88-75 on home soil, staying winless two games into the season. They had also lost to the Japanese B.1 league champions in Fukuyama a fortnight ago.
“As someone that grew up here, bringing it here is really special,” said Henry Kerins, chief executive of EASL. “Also, elevating the level of basketball for our city, bringing this on a broadcast to millions of people around the world, it’s the first time – we’re really proud of that.”
With a limited choice of venues around the city, Eastern will be playing their remaining two home games in Wan Chai.
But Kerins revealed plans about moving those home games to Kai Tak Arena, the indoor arena of the state-of-the-art, HK$30 billion facility in Kowloon.

“Hong Kong, I think, realised that problem five years ago and started building one of the best facilities in the world with Kai Tak,” he said. “Obviously, we’re playing here; we love Southorn – it’s a very compact, community-based arena.
“But the future for us is going to be Kai Tak, hopefully, and showcasing that beautiful property to the world as well.”
About 90 per cent of the 2,000-seater Southorn was filled on Thursday night as basketball fans witnessed an evenly contested opening two quarters, with the hosts taking a 44-37 lead at halftime.
Chris McLaughlin, a former Asean Basketball League best defensive player, showcased his abilities at both ends of the floor, stacking up the stat sheet with slam dunks, rebounds and even steals.
But despite a team-high 24 points and 14 boards from the Canadian, it wasn’t enough as Eastern melted down almost right after the restart.
The visitors used an 18-6 run to start the third quarter and never looked back. Eastern crawled back to trail by just five points early in the final quarter but that was as close as the hosts got before the Dragonflies pulled away again for a comfortable 13-point win.

“Playing the game at home was special,” the 30-year-old McLaughlin said. “We have been competing regionally for two years, from the ABL to the Basketball Champions League Asia, and this was the first time we were able to host a game in Hong Kong.
“The fans were incredible; the energy in Southorn was amazing. It’s such a stark difference between Southorn for EASL and a local A1 Division league game, from production to energy in the building. I think it is what basketball fans want in Hong Kong.”
After a dismal start in the EASL, Eastern will shift their focus back to the local league, with four games lined up before their next regional appearance, when they host Philippines outfit San Miguel Beermen on December 18.
The Hong Kong side will then host South Korean side Suwon KT Sonicboom on January 7 before playing two more local league games, followed by trips to the Philippines and Taiwan for their final EASL matches, against the Beermen on January 15, and the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots on February 5, respectively.
The reigning local league champions are also expected to play in the Philippines Basketball Association’s Commissioner’s Cup, which is scheduled to tip off on November 27.


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South China bringing back some old hands as they start Champions League Asia campaign

Third title has Hong Kong Eastern eyeing greater basketball test in regional competition

East Asia Super League

East Asia Super League: competition’s boss aims to get Hong Kong’s games played at Kai Tak

Japanese B.League outfit Hiroshima Dragonflies (in red) have beaten Hong Kong Eastern in both outings this season. Photo: Handout

Chris McLaughlin finished with a team-high 24 points and 14 rebounds for Hong Kong Eastern. Photo: Handout

United States import player Cameron Clark finished with 13 points to go with seven rebounds. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong basketball star Glen Yang to play for Eastern as local player in 2 regional events

Glen Yang (centre) in action for the Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers in the Taiwanese P. League+ last year. Photo: Handout

Eastern have re-signed French-Taiwanese guard Steven Guinchard, who first played for the franchise in 2016. 

East Asia Super League: Hong Kong Eastern to join 10-team competition next season

Hong Kong Eastern under Zeljko Pavlicevic won the Asean Basketball League in their final season in that competition. Photo: Hong Kong Eastern

B. League outfit Chiba Jets were crowned EASL champions in March. Photo: EASL

EASL co-founder and CEO Henry Kerins says the competition is getting bigger and better. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Eastern eye place in mainland China basketball league with Philippines venture

A1 Division champions Hong Kong Eastern are exploring plans to play in mainland China. Photo: Hong Kong Eastern

Duncan Reid of the Bay Area Dragons in action in the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo: Handout

Eastern heading to Basketball Champions League qualifiers, first Hong Kong side to play in tournament in 22 years

Hong Kong Eastern have borrowed Yip Yiu-pong from rivals South China for their Champions League push. Photo: Handout

The Hong Kong Eastern team will leave for Mongolia on March 31. Photo: Handout

American forward Isaiah Eisendorf has joined Eastern for the tournament in Mongolia. Photo: Handout

Asean Basketball League: Hong Kong club Eastern seal regional title for second time

Back-up point guard Oliver Xu in action. Photo: Handout

Dominic Gilbert played all 40 minutes to record 13 points and 10 rebounds. Photo: Handout

Sport

Basketball

Hong Kong

‘The future for us’ will be at the new sports facility, says Henry Kerins, as Eastern are defeated in their home debut in the regional league


‘The future for us’ will be at the new sports facility, says Henry Kerins, as Eastern are defeated in their home debut in the regional league.


East Asia Super League: competition’s boss aims to get Hong Kong’s games played at Kai Tak

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘The future for us’ will be at the new sports facility, says Henry Kerins, as Eastern are defeated in their home debut in the regional league

‘The future for us’ will be at the new sports facility, says Henry Kerins, as Eastern are defeated in their home debut in the regional league