Asia League helps clean up Typhoon Mangkhut-hit areas of Macau ahead of Terrific 12 basketball tournament

The week of Typhoon Mangkhut is perhaps not the ideal time to gather teams from across Asia in Macau, but Asia League head Matt Beyer said they planned for the worst.

“We looked at various backup plans for the weather and if we were going to need to move the games back a day and cancel our rest day. We looked at if our music festival was going to have to move from the stadium here. Thank goodness that it didn’t have to be that way. Yes. It made the teams a little late, but everyone showed up.”

This time, 12 of Asia’s best teams are in Macau to play for the trophy. Games start on September 18 and run until the final on September 23 in the Studio City Event Centre.

The rest day, September 21, is when some of Asia’s biggest music stars play a concert, including Minzy, MC Jin and Jess Connelly.

The players might be put to public use on the rest day, Beyer said.

“Yesterday some of my colleagues and I went into the harder hit areas and did volunteer work with the Macau women’s association to clean up rubble and things like that. We may send some of the teams if there is still work to be done as sort of a community outreach thing.”

While that was an unplanned response to the typhoon, the Asia League has plans to give back, on and off the court.

“This year, not only did we do the typhoon thing but we’re working with the YMCA and the Bosco Youth Association to have their kids come and play during our half-time for the group stages, like three-on-three games. It’s fun for little kids to go on to a pro court and play.

“We want to integrate into the community. We work with YMCA, Bosco Youth, with the Macau Basketball Association and all their teams, with the women’s association, the education and youth groups. We’re trying to become a part of the fabric of the community.”

The Asia League has become part of the fabric of the sports community with a new partner for this year.

“We’re partnered with the Macau government, with the Sports Bureau, they are a sponsor as well as a co-organiser of the event. The Macau government has received us with open arms so we feel we should, of course, be good corporate citizens here.”

Terrific 12 teams

Xinjiang Flying Tigers – China

Zhejiang Guangsha Lions – China

Guangzhou Long Lions – China

Shandong Xiwang – China

Fubon Braves – Taiwan

Yulon Lugxen Dinos – Taiwan

iECO Green Warriors – Philippines

Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus – South Korea

Seoul Samsung Thunders – South Korea

Ryuku Golden Kings – Japan

Nagoya Diamond Dolphins – Japan

Chiba Jets – Japan