Ryukyu clinches EASL postseason berth

c/o EASL

It was a Merry Christmas indeed for the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

Last season's B.LEAGUE finalists clinched a spot in the postseason at the 2024-25 East Asia Super League by defeating the New Taipei Kings on Wednesday, 82-74.

Thanks to their 4-0 record in Group B, they are guaranteed to play in the Final Four, which is set to take place this March. The champion of this season will claim US $1 million, with $500,000 to the runner-up and $250,000 to the third place finisher.

American reinforcements Keve Aluma and Jack Cooley each netted double-doubles, with the former leading all scorers with 21 points and ten rebounds, while the latter grabbed a game-high fourteen boards to pair with his ten markers. Ryuichi Kishimoto chipped in twenty points to provide offensive support.

Now 4-0 in regular-season play, the Golden Kings clinched their postseason berth with two games to spare, becoming the first team this season to qualify. It marks consecutive seasons that a Japanese club side has reached the Final Four, following the title-clinching efforts of the Chiba Jets.

Ryukyu has had a winning tradition in the EASL, having claimed the first edition of the Terrific 12 back in 2018. They fell short in making the inaugural edition of the EASL Final Four with their 3-3 record to finish third in Group B. 

The Golden Kings will finish out action at Taipei against the Kings on January 8, before capping things out on January 22 against the Meralco Bolts at the PhilSports Arena.