PBA withdraws from EASL

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has left the door open for a reconciliation with EASL but made it clear that unless an outstanding debt to the Meralco franchise is settled, there will be no discussion on a possible return. EASL CEO Henry Kerins said payment to Meralco for participating in the last season was withheld pending resolution of the status of the Basketball Champions League-Asia (BCL-Asia).

FIBA recently announced that BCL-Asia would not be held this year. EASL was earlier recognized by FIBA as a direct qualifying pathway to BCL-Asia. Because of schedule constraints, PBA declined to join BCL-A. The three-conference format and commitments to play in the four FIBA windows and Asian Games made it difficult for PBA to squeeze in the participation.

After FIBA announced the cancellation, EASL said it was requested to release all the team payments, including Meralco. The payment was supposed to have been made last week. Marcial said with no confirmation of payment, it would be difficult to move forward. EASL, meanwhile, went to another route and took in MPBL champion Abra to complete the 12-team lineup this season. Despite MPBL’s failure to secure affiliation with SBP, the league isn’t restrained from playing in EASL. Abra will debut in the season opening doubleheader at the SM Seaside City Arena in Cebu on Oct. 3.

PBA has been an EASL partner since 2018 when NLEX took fourth place in the Super 8 offseason tournament. San Miguel Beer also placed fourth in the 2019 Terrific 12. San Miguel and TNT joined the Champions Week in 2023. When EASL began its home-and-away seasons, TNT and Meralco played in 2023-24. Then, San Miguel and Meralco saw action in 2024-25. Last season, only Meralco joined the fray but was well-armed with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Justin Brownlee, Ismael Romero and Sina Vahedi. None of the PBA teams has qualified for the Final Four in the last three campaigns.

It’s been a challenge for PBA to be competitive in EASL. While other teams play in their leagues with two imports (and the added luxury of enlisting a naturalized player), PBA plays with only one in two of three conferences. Adding a second import while playing with one in PBA makes the transition a little tough. There is also a schedule problem although it’s the same issue with other teams.

EASL launched a Future Champions project for U15 players with participation from Cebu last year and is committed to strengthen ties with Philippine basketball stakeholders. It has encountered financial problems as a start-up league and this season, subsidies and prizes will be reduced. With rising media views and growing regional acceptance, EASL hopes it will be in the black sooner than later. But meeting obligations must be a priority to establish credibility. Marcial said once the Meralco bill is settled, he’ll be ready to talk with EASL again. Nothing personal. At the moment, PBA and EASL are going separate ways.