BASKETBALL/New Taipei Kings qualify for 2025-26 EASL season

Taipei, July 24 (CNA) The New Taipei Kings, champions of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League's (TPBL) inaugural season, are set to participate in the East Asia Super League (EASL) for the third consecutive year, the league announced Thursday.

The Kings will join two P.LEAGUE+ (PLG) teams -- the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and the Taipei Fubon Braves -- to compete against top teams from other East Asian countries, according to the emerging international league.

"New Taipei is a proven winner and has reached the top time and time again in our league," EASL Chief Executive Officer Henry Kerins was quoted as saying in the statement.

"EASL is the Champions League of Asian basketball, and with New Taipei, we're adding another true champion. They've shown they're one of the best teams in Asia, and we're excited to see what they do this season."

Thursday's announcement confirmed New Taipei as the 13th team to join the upcoming EASL season. Currently, the league is set to feature in its new season three teams each from Taiwan and Japan, two each from Hong Kong, South Korea and the Philippines, and one from Mongolia.

Despite participating in the past two seasons, this marks New Taipei's debut in the EASL as TPBL champions.

"Given the recent collaboration between the P. LEAGUE+ and TPBL, we're pleased to welcome the TPBL's New Taipei Kings into our longstanding partnership with EASL and its upcoming season," PLG Chief Executive Officer Charles "Blackie" Chen (陳建州) said in the statement.

The Kings, who joined TPBL in the 2024 offseason, secured their spot in the 2024-25 EASL season by clinching the PLG championship in 2023-24. Their participation in the next EASL season had remained uncertain until Thursday's confirmation.

On July 17, TPBL Commissioner Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) confirmed ongoing discussions about a collaboration between the PLG and TPBL for the 2025-26 season, with a combined total of 10 teams likely to compete in a unified regular season and championship without a formal merger.

Also on Thursday, the PLG confirmed it had received an application from the Hung Kuo group to join the league, following the recent disbandment of the Kaohsiung Steelers.

The league and the three PLG teams welcomed the application but emphasized that "in the next two years, the PLG will prioritize the two leagues' collaboration and adhere to the letters of intent," expressing hope that "Taiwan's basketball talent and resources can firmly work together."

The Hung Kuo group, the PLG added, respects the decision of the two leagues and looks forward to contributing to their collaboration.