Gilas Pilipinas to face Macau Black Bears in FIBA Asia Cup sendoff

From the SBP

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has set up an official send-off for Gilas Pilipinas onto their FIBA Asia Cup aspirations.

Taking place on July 28, The Gilas Men will face off against the Macau Black Bears at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum for a friendly.

Tip-off is estimated to be at 730pm.

SBP President Al Panlilio says about the upcoming friendly, "Playing tuneup games before Gilas dives into the FIBA Asia Cup will only help the team out."

He adds, "While the team gets good competition, it’s also an opportunity for our Gilas fans to band together and send their team off before they fly out to Saudi Arabia. It’s a short preparation window as many of our players saw action in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup, which was another reason why the SBP wanted Gilas to have a tuneup game here."

Macau has had previous experience in helping nations with their preparations, having faced off against China last year. 

Founded in 2017 as Chong Son Kung Fu, they made their continental debut in the ASEAN Basketball League, and was one of two new teams in the East Asia Super League this past season. In addition, they are part of roster of sides involved in The Asian Tournament. Their combination of natives, diaspora, and reinforcements under the leadership of Garrett Kelly will provide a good test.

As noted by head coach Tim Cone, "They beat the Chinese national team. They are really strong. They’ve got good imports. It could be a very interesting friendly for us."

The Philippines is hoping to improve its ninth-place finish from the last edition of the FIBA Asia Cup, and will be battling against New Zealand, Chinese-Taipei, and Iraq in first round action at Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Gilas is expected to be in full strength, save for Kai Sotto, who is still recovering from an ACL injury.

Tickets are now available via https://www.ticketnet.com.ph/

EASL reveals makeover for the 2025-26 season

EASL: Your Game

The East Asia Super League tweaked its look for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Considered as arguably the top-flight in continental basketball in Asia, the EASL in its third season under its current iteration thought it was time to show love and appreciation to everyone who made it possible all across the region, from the teams and their fans to the league's partners.

As such, the thrust for this coming campaign centers on it being "Your Game."

Choosing this messaging allows the EASL to emphasize that "every city, every court, every possession is part of that limit-defying experience you share with Asia’s top teams and athletes." As the EASL will not exist without the fans.

The logo redesign and creative shift that has a clean and modern identity that matches the league's momentum and vision, noting the recent gains Asian basketball has made in the global stage.

In addition, "Your Game" provides a messaging towards the youth in the region that "their heroes once stood in where they currently stand, with a ball, a court, and a dream they made their own",  something now in place thanks to the EASL's Future Champions program. 

EASL Creative Manager Hadrein Damalerio shares about the new identity, "We saw an opportunity to create a brand identity that not only stands out but stands for something. It reflects our ambition to build the most elevated basketball platform in Asia. The design bridges our previous typography with added symbolic motion, capturing the rising energy of basketball across Asia and our commitment to push it forward."

Vice President and Head of Marketing Mat Morgan adds, "Your Game’ is more than a campaign, it’s an open invitation. Whether it comes from us, our teams, or the fans, it always says the same thing: this league is for you. It’s personal, it’s cultural, and it’s built to welcome everyone into the story."

The upcoming season sees the league add another team from Japan through its cup champion, as well as an inaugural representative from Mongolia.