HK Eastern seeks to complete San Miguel sweep

c/o EASL

San Miguel and Hong Kong Eastern face off in one of two scheduled East Asia Super League matches on Wednesday.

Set to tip off at 810pm, the Beermen are hoping third time's the charm against their opposition, having fallen short in both meetings so far, as HK Eastern is a guest team in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Their first meeting took place in Hong Kong last December 18, with the hosts fending off San Miguel's late comeback attempt to end up 71-62 winners.

Four days later, they met again, with Eastern securing a 99-91 overtime triumph, with Glen Yang scoring 26 points. The game served as the debut for Jabari Narcis, who contributed 28 points and ten rebounds. Narcis is expected to make his EASL debut after sitting out last week's matchup against the Dragonflies in Hiroshima, providing much needed help for Torren Jones and JuneMar Fajardo.

Already eliminated from postseason contention having lost all four games so far, San Miguel is seeking to secure a strong finish in continental play, hoping that this would lead into some positive momentum domestically.

The Leo Austria-coached side are currently eighth place toting a 4-4 record, good enough to be in the final postseason spot for this conference.

In addition, they could also serve as spoilers to both HK Eastern and Suwon KT Sonicboom, whom they finish Group Stage action with this coming February 12.

After losing their first two continental matches, HK Eastern have won two straight games, following up their win over the Beermen with a 69-61 victory over Suwon last January 7. Both of these matches taking place at their home digs at Southorn Stadium.

Thanks to Hayden Blankley's thirteen points and five rebounds, they are now currently in third place in Group A at 2-2. With Hiroshima having locked up the one spot in the group, it will be a battle with Suwon and current second placers Taoyuan, whom HK Eastern will visit next month, for the other semifinal berth up for grabs.

Chris McLaughlin and Cameron Clark have been vital in setting things up for Hong Kong, with Blankley, Yang, and Kobey Lam serving as an effective supporting cast.

They are also looking to have this current stretch to translate in their stint in the PBA, where they are currently 6-3 and a game behind Northport atop the standings.

In the other scheduled continental matchup, Busan KCC Egis and the Macau Black Bears face off in Korea.

With both teams toting three losses, the loser of this matchup is pretty much eliminated from postseason contention.

Macau made history on their previous encounter, as Damian Chong Qui produced the league's first triple-double last November, but the Black Bears are coming off a blowout defeat to New Taipei last month.

Busan recently rejiggered their lineup, sending Deonte Burton to former EASL participants Anyang JKJ in exchange for Cady Lalanne, hoping his presence will improve their play.

Both EASL games are set to be broadcast domestically through either One Sports, One Sports+, or Pilipinas Live.