GAME NOTES: GROUP A — Hiroshima Dragonflies (3-1) vs. San Miguel Beermen (0-3)

EASL によって書かれました

Tyler Schiff

San Miguel needs win to stave off postseason elimination

January 8, 2025 — Hiroshima Sun Plaza

‍

Where to Watch

The Hiroshima Dragonflies and San Miguel Beermen tip off at 6:10 p.m. CST. Here’s where you can catch the game!

‍

Japan:

Watch the game live on U-NEXT (Japanese Streaming Platform)

‍

Philippines:

Watch the game live or on replay on CIGNAL’s One Sports (free TV), One Sports+ (pay TV), or stream it on Pilipinas Live.

‍

If you’re outside these regions and want to watch the East Asia Super League (EASL) games on Jan. 8, visit the ‘Watch’ tab on our website to see where you can stream based on your location.

‍

Get Your Tickets

Get your tickets now at: https://bleague-ticket.psrv.jp/sales/HD/20250108

‍

‍Note: Those interested must create a B.LEAGUE website membership to purchase tickets.

‍

If you are traveling from overseas or do not have a B.LEAGUE website membership and wish to purchase tickets, please complete the form below:

‍

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsQn0yERSJzzUQDuPel1BoVqSr-iv9LN78VjDtHV9AHLK9hA/viewform

‍

Storylines

‍

Avoiding Elimination

San Miguel enters a must-win game against Hiroshima on January 8. With an 0-3 record, the Beermen must secure a victory to keep their postseason hopes alive; a loss would mathematically eliminate them from contention.

‍

San Miguel's road to the East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four is hanging by a thread. At 0-3 and sitting at the bottom of Group A, a fourth straight loss would mathematically eliminate the Beermen from postseason contention.

‍

In their inaugural EASL season, San Miguel has faced significant struggles. After an 87-81 loss to South Korea’s Suwon KT Sonicboom to open the 2024-25 campaign, things quickly spiraled. A blowout 100-85 defeat to the P. LEAGUE+’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots followed, and an opportunity for its first win against winless Hong Kong Eastern slipped away in a nine-point loss.

‍

Now, San Miguel finds itself in a must-win situation against a strong Hiroshima team. The Dragonflies sit atop Group A with a 3-1 record and are coming off of a victory over the previously undefeated Pauian Pilots. On paper, the Beermen’s chances are slim, and there is no more room for error. A loss would end their season, leaving them with two meaningless games and no chance to advance.

‍

New Import Pairing

Jabari Narcis is set to make his EASL debut for San Miguel against Hiroshima. In a recent PBA game, Narcis delivered an impressive performance, scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against Group A rivals Hong Kong Eastern, who are currently competing as a guest team in the Philippine league (Photo Credit: PBA.PH).

‍

Near the end of 2024, San Miguel added new import Jabari Narcis, a 6-foot-9 forward from Trinidad and Tobago, marking the fourth import to feature for the Beermen in the EASL this season.

‍

On Jan. 8 in Hiroshima, Narcis will team up with Torren Jones, another recent import who made his EASL debut in San Miguel’s Dec. 18 loss to Hong Kong Eastern. Despite the defeat, Jones impressed, posting 19 points and 11 rebounds.

‍

The pairing of Jones and Narcis against the Dragonflies promises to be a must-watch duo. Both are physical players who thrive in the paint and should present a significant challenge to Hiroshima’s defense.

‍

While San Miguel has had tall players like June Mar Fajardo and the recently departed EJ Anosike and Quincy Miller, this new import tandem should help the Beermen dominate the boards and improve their shot-blocking, which will be crucial in their bid to stay alive in the race for a Final Four spot in the EASL.

‍

Dominant Dwayne

Dwayne Evans II (#13) soars to the rim against the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots during their Christmas Day matchup. Evans led the game with a dominant 33-point performance, securing an 84-73 victory that returned Hiroshima to the top of the Group A standings.

‍

Hiroshima’s standout player this season has been import Kerry Blackshear Jr. The former Florida and Virginia Tech star earned EASL’s October Player of the Month honors, averaging 21 points and 10.5 rebounds in consecutive wins that propelled the Dragonflies to a 2-0 start.

‍

Lately, however, it’s been Dwayne Evans II taking center stage as Hiroshima’s go-to player. The 6-foot-6 forward delivered a dominant 33-point performance on Christmas Day, leading the Dragonflies to a crucial victory over the previously unbeaten Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and securing the top spot in Group A.

‍

Evans didn’t feature at the start of the 2024-25 season due to a lingering left hamstring injury, missing Hiroshima’s first two games. Even in his EASL debut, he made an immediate impact with 19 points in a narrow 80-78 loss to the Suwon KT Sonicboom. Against Taoyuan, though, Evans fully showcased his offensive versatility, proving himself as a dynamic three-level scorer.

‍

Come Jan. 8, with Evans hitting his stride in EASL play, he’s poised for another big performance against San Miguel as Hiroshima continues its quest for a Final Four berth.

‍

Hiroshima Dragonflies’ Players To Watch

‍

#13 Dwayne Evans II — Forward, 6-foot-6

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 26.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE Season Averages: 15.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists
2023-24 B.LEAGUE Champion
Joined the Hiroshima Dragonflies in 2022
Evans played for the Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) from 2020-2022
Evans attended St. Louis (2010-2014)
2-time First-Team All-Atlantic 10 (2013, 2014)
2013 Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP
2011 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team
Evans is from Bolingbrook, Illinois, USA

‍

#12 Takuto Nakamura — Guard, 6-foot-1

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE Season Averages: 10.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists
2023-24 B.LEAGUE Champion
Nakamura represented the Japanese national team during the Nov. 2024 FIBA International Window
Joined the Hiroshima Dragonflies in 2022
Nakamura attended Daito Bunka University
Nakamura is from Nagoya, Japan

‍

#10 Toshiki Kamisawa — Guard, 5-foot-9

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 7.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists
2024-25 B.LEAGUE Season Averages: 7.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists
2023-24 B.LEAGUE Champion
Kamisawa joined the Hiroshima Dragonflies in 2022
Kamisawa attended Nihon University
Kamisawa is from Toyama, Japan

‍

San Miguel Beermen’s Players To Watch

‍

#31 Jabari Narcis — Forward, 6-foot-9

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: Narcis is scheduled to make his EASL debut against the Hiroshima Dragonflies on Jan. 8.
Narcis joined the San Miguel Beermen in 2024
Narcis has played professionally in the Dominican Republic, Spain, Germany, Japan, Puerto Rico and Venezuela
After going undrafted, Narcis played for the G-League’s Mexico City Capitanes
Narcis went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft
Narcis attended Jacksonville College (2016-2018) and UT Arlington (2018-2020)
Narcis is from Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago

‍

#5 Torren Jones — Forward, 6-foot-9

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 19.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Jones joined the San Miguel Beermen in 2024
Jones has played professionally in Australia, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Mexico and Taiwan
After going undrafted Jones played for the Santa Cruz Warriors (Golden State Warriors G-League affiliate)
Jones went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft
Jones attended Missouri (2013-14), Midland Community College (2014-15), Fresno State (2015-16) and William Penn University (2016-17)
Jones was a former Top-100 Player in the 2014 High School Class
Jones is from Chandler, Arizona, USA

‍

#77 CJ Perez — Guard, 6-foot-2