Hong Kong Eastern basketball team face uphill task to qualify for first EASL playoffs
The players have to beat Utsunomiya Brex by 10 points or more at Southorn Stadium and hope other results go their way to make it to Macau
Hong Kong Eastern’s dream of reaching their first East Asia Super League (EASL) playoffs hangs by a thread heading into their final group match at home next week.
Following their 83-74 away loss in Japan to Utsunomiya Brex last week, the city’s only professional basketball team must beat Brex by 10 points or more at Southorn Stadium on Wednesday.
The team also have to hope the Japanese B League side beat Taipei Fubon Braves at home a week later, to ensure they advance to the six-team playoffs in Macau in March.
If Brex fail to beat the Braves at home on February 11, Eastern will be eliminated, and the Taiwanese P League+ outfit will make the playoffs based on their better head-to-head points difference.
Starter Dominic Gilbert, who averaged 21.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and three assists in five outings this season, was excited ahead of “the biggest game” of the season so far.
“It would be a great accomplishment for the team to make it to the final six in Macau,” the 29-year-old forward said.