FINAL FOUR SEMIFINALS GAME NOTES: Ryukyu Golden Kings (5-1) vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (4-2)

Ryukyu and Taoyuan set for an epic battle for a berth in the championship game.

March 5, 2025 — Studio City Event Center, Macau SAR

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Where to Watch:

The Ryukyu Golden Kings and Taoyuan Pauian Pilots tip off at 21:10 CT at Studio City Event Center in Macau. Here’s where you can watch the game:

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Japan:

Live on U-NEXT (Japanese streaming platform).

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Chinese Taipei:

Live on Videoland (pay TV), Videoland’s Twitch and YouTube channels, and streaming platform PTS+ (OTT).

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Outside These Regions:

Visit the “Watch” tab on the EASL website for streaming options in your area.

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Get Your Tickets: Available at Studio City Macau

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Storylines:

How They Got Here

The second semifinal of the EASL Final Four 2025 features the Group B winners, Ryukyu Golden Kings, facing off against the Group A runners-up, Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.

The Golden Kings entered the EASL 2024-25 season as one of three returning teams, alongside the New Taipei Kings and the Meralco Bolts. They opened the season strong, reeling off four consecutive victories against Meralco, the Macau Black Bears, Busan KCC Egis, and a commanding win over New Taipei. Their 4-0 start secured them the first spot in the Final Four. However, their undefeated run came to an end on Jan. 8, when they suffered a 36-point loss in a rematch against New Taipei, tying the largest margin of defeat this season. Ryukyu rebounded with an 18-point victory over Meralco to close out the Group Stage at 5-1.

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The Pilots also had a strong start, winning their first three games by a combined margin of +73 points. However, an early December injury to star import Treveon Graham proved costly, as they suffered their first loss on Christmas Day to Group A winners Hiroshima Dragonflies by 11 points. Another defeat to Hiroshima on Jan. 22 set up a must-win matchup against Hong Kong Eastern.

Taoyuan responded with a dominant performance, outscoring Eastern 32-7 in the first quarter and never looking back. Their 26-point victory secured a Final Four berth with a 4-2 record.

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Pilots winless vs. Japan

The Pilots had an impressive season—except against Japanese teams.

With Hiroshima in Group A, Taoyuan faced the Japan B.LEAGUE champions twice in the Group Stage. In their first meeting on Christmas Day, the Pilots struggled without Graham and were unable to contain Dragonflies’ import Dwayne Evans III, who erupted for 33 points. Taoyuan also shot just 37.7% from the field in an 84-73 loss.

In the rematch, with Graham back in the lineup, the Pilots trailed by 13 points at halftime. They stormed back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Hiroshima 27-19 to make it a one-possession game. However, costly missed free throws by Graham in the final moments sealed their fate in a 95-92 defeat.

Now, Taoyuan faces an even tougher opponent in Ryukyu. As of Mar. 5, the Golden Kings hold a 27-12 record in the B.LEAGUE, while the Dragonflies sit below .500 at 18-21. Can the Pilots overcome their struggles against Japanese teams and pull off a stunning upset?

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The Battle of the Bigs

Friday’s semifinal will feature a bruising interior matchup between 6-foot-10 Jack Cooley and 7-foot Alec Brown.

Cooley, a former NBA player who had stints with the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings, averaged 18.8 points and 13.6 rebounds in five Group Stage games. His standout performance came against Busan KCC Egis on Dec. 4, when he earned EASL Player of the Game honors with 29 points and 18 rebounds.

On the other side, Brown, who spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2013-14 season, has been a dominant force for Taoyuan. He averaged 20.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and a league-best 1.7 blocks per game in six Group Stage appearances.

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Who will control the paint and give their team the edge in this high-stakes showdown?

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Ryukyu Golden Kings (Japan — B.LEAGUE) Players to Watch:

#14 Ryuichi Kishimoto — Guard, 5-foot-8

2024-25 EASL Averages: 12.7 points, 1.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE All-Star with the Ryukyu Golden Kings
2022-23 B.LEAGUE Champion with the Ryukyu Golden Kings
2x bj League Champion with the Ryukyu Golden Kings (2013-14, 2015-16)
2013-14 bj League Playoff MVP with the Ryukyu Golden Kings
2013-14 bj League Rookie of the Year with the Ryukyu Golden Kings
Joined the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2013.
Kishimoto attended Daito Bunka University
Kishimoto is from Nago City, Okinawa, Japan

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#45 Jack Cooley — Center, 6-foot-10

2024-25 EASL Averages: 18.8 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE All-Star with the Ryukyu Golden Kings
2022-23 B.LEAGUE Champion with the Ryukyu Golden Kings
Joined the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2019
2019 FIBA Europe Cup Champion with Dinamo Sassari (ITA)
2012 Second-Team All-Big East with the University of Notre Dame
2012 Big East Most Improved Player with the University of Notre Dame
Cooley spent time in the NBA with the Utah Jazz (2015) and the Sacramento Kings (2017-18) after going undrafted in 2013
Cooley attended the University of Notre Dame (2009-2013)
Cooley is from Evanston, Illinois, USA

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#53 Alex Kirk — Center, 6-foot-11

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 11.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists
Kirk became a naturalized Japanese player before the start of the 2024-25 season
Joined the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2023
2019 FIBA Asia Champions Cup Champion with Alvark Tokyo
2019 FIBA Asia Champions Cup MVP with Alvark Tokyo
2-time B.LEAGUE Champion with the Tokyo Alvark (2018, 2019)
Kirk previously played for the B.LEAGUE’s Tokyo Alvark (2017-23)
Kirk spent time in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2014-15), and their G League affiliate, the Canton Charge (2014-15)
Kirk went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft
2-time Mountain West Conference All-Defensive Team with the University of New Mexico (2013, 2014)
2013 Second-Team All-Mountain West Conference with the University of New Mexico
Kirk attended the University of New Mexico (2010-2014)
Kirk is from Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA

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Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+ — Chinese Taipei) Players to Watch:

#69 Lu Chun-Hsiang — Guard, 6-foot-3

2024-25 EASL Averages: 19.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists
P. LEAGUE+ All-Time Leading Scorer
2024 P. LEAGUE+ MVP with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
2-time P. LEAGUE+ First-Team of the Year with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (2023, 2024)
2-time P. LEAGUE+ Defensive First-Team of the Year with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (2023, 2024)
2022 P. LEAGUE+ Sixth-Man of the Year with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
2022 P. LEAGUE+ Second-Team of the Year with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
2021 SBL Rookie of the Year with Taoyuan Pilots
Lu joined the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in 2021
Lu attended the Taichung National University of Science and Technology
Lu is from Gongguan, Miaoli, Chinese Taipei

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#24 Treveon Graham — Forward, 6-foot-5

2024-25 EASL Averages: 24.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Graham spent time in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets (2016-18), Brooklyn Nets (2018-19), Minnesota Timberwolves (2019-20) and Atlanta Hawks (2020)
Graham went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft
2-time First-Team All-Atlantic 10 with Virginia Commonwealth University (2014, 2015)
2013 Second Team All-Atlantic 10 with Virginia Commonwealth University
2015 Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP with Virginia Commonwealth University
Graham joined the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in 2024
Graham attended Virginia Commonwealth University (2011-2015)
Graham is from Washington, D.C., USA

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#21 Alec Brown — Center, 7-foot-0

2024-25 EASL Averages: 20.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Played for the NBA developmental league affiliates, Bakersfield Jam (now known as Motor City Cruise) (2015-16) and Windy City Bulls (2016-17)
Brown was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 50th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft
2014 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year with Green Bay College
2-time First-Team All-Horizon League with Green Bay College (2012, 2014)
Brown joined the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in 2023
Brown attended college at Green Bay College (2010-2014)
Brown is from Winona, Minnesota, USA