January 15, 2025 — PhilSports Arena  

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‍Where To Watch 

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The San Miguel Beermen and Hong Kong Eastern tip off at 8:10 p.m. CST. Here’s where you can catch the game! 

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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.

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Hong Kong SAR:

Watch the game live on free-to-watch channel and streaming platform, HOY TV (Channel 76). 

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‍If you’re outside these regions and want to watch the East Asia Super League (EASL) games on Jan. 15, visit the ‘Watch’ tab on our website to see where you can stream based on your location.

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Get Your Tickets 

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Get your tickets at: https://www.ticketmax.ph/events/easl-manila-2024-beermen-vs-eastern/ 

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Storylines 

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No Room For Error 

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Hong Kong Eastern kept their postseason hopes alive on Jan. 7 with a crucial 69-61 win over the Suwon KT Sonicboom (KBL). Powered by Hayden Blankley’s 13 points and five rebounds, Hong Kong improved to 2-2 and currently sits in third place in Group A. However, the road ahead remains challenging, starting with Wednesday’s matchup against San Miguel. To stay in contention for a Final Four berth, Eastern must not only defeat San Miguel but also win their final regular-season game. 

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Despite the wealth of talent in Group A, Hong Kong Eastern’s recent form has been impressive. The team has built momentum with back-to-back wins, including a victory over San Miguel at Southorn Stadium on Dec. 18 and the aforementioned triumph over Suwon KT. In both games, Eastern excelled by converting tough shots and capitalizing on transition opportunities. 

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While the immediate focus will be Wednesday’s clash with San Miguel, Eastern’s final test comes against the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots on Feb. 12. Led by Lu Chun-Hsiang, Taoyuan boasts a 3-1 record and a +15.5 point differential through four EASL games this season. For Hong Kong and its Final Four hopes, there’s no room for error. 

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The Trilogy 

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When Hong Kong Eastern and San Miguel meet on Wednesday, it will mark their third encounter in less than a month. Eastern, currently competing as a guest team in the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup, has defeated San Miguel twice — once in EASL and once in the PBA.

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In their first matchup at Southorn Stadium on Dec. 18, Eastern took an early lead and held on, despite San Miguel narrowing the gap to single digits in the second half. Their second meeting on December 22 during the Commissioner’s Cup was a much closer battle, going into overtime before Eastern secured a 99-91 victory. Glen Yang led Hong Kong with 26 points, while San Miguel’s new import, Jabari Narcis, made an impressive debut with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

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For San Miguel, the upcoming game has no impact on its EASL postseason dreams, as the Beermen were the first team eliminated from contention after starting the 2024-25 campaign 0-4. However, the team will look to salvage some pride and possibly play spoiler to Hong Kong’s Final Four hopes, which are still alive. Bragging rights are at stake in this final chapter of this trilogy.

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Three Straight 

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Hong Kong Eastern, arguably the hottest team in the EASL right now, has a chance to claim the league’s longest active win streak with a victory over San Miguel on Wednesday. Their current two-game streak is tied with the Hiroshima Dragonflies (B.LEAGUE) and the New Taipei Kings for the league’s best.

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After starting the season 0-2, Eastern — one of two expansion teams this year — initially seemed outmatched by Asia’s top competition. However, they’ve rebounded impressively with two critical wins against San Miguel and Suwon KT over the last three weeks. 

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The team is led by its import duo, Chris McLaughlin and Cameron Clark, alongside a strong supporting cast. Kobey Lam, Glen Yang, and midseason addition Hayden Blankley have proven to be reliable scorers who can create their own shots.

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So, don’t be surprised that Hong Kong has risen to become one of the best teams in the league. And don’t be surprised if they capture a third consecutive win at PhilSports Arena.

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San Miguel Beermen’s Players To Watch

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#31 Jabari Narcis — Forward, 6-foot-9 

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: Narcis is scheduled to make his EASL debut against Hong Kong Eastern on Jan. 15. 
• 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 

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#33 Juami Tiongsen — Guard, 5-foot-10

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists
• Tiongson joined the San Miguel Beermen in 2024 
• 2024 PBA All-Star 
• 2024 PBA Mythical Second Team
• 2021 PBA Most Improved Player
• Tiongson was selected as the 12th pick in the 2014 PBA Draft 
• 4x UAAP Champion (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
• Tiongson attended Ateneo University (2009-2012)
• Tiongson is from Mandaluyong, Philippines 

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#15 June Mar Fajardo — Center, 6-foot-10

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 14.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists
• 10x PBA Champion 
• 4x PBA Finals MVP 
• 8x PBA Most Valuable Player 
• 11x PBA Best Player of the Conference
• 9x PBA All-Star 
• 9x PBA Mythical First Team 
• 7x PBA All-Defensive Team 
• 2x PBA Sportsmanship Award (2015, 2016) 
• 2022 Asian Games Gold Medalist with the Philippine National Team
• 2015 PBA Defensive Player of the Year 
• 2014 PBA Most Improved Player
• 2013 FIBA Asia Championship Silver Medalist with the Philippine National Team 
• 2013 PBA Mythical Second Team 
• 2013 PBA All-Rookie Team 
• Fajardo joined the San Miguel Beermen in 2012 
• Fajardo was selected as the 1st overall pick in the 2012 PBA Draft 
• 2010 National Collegiate Player of the Year 
• Fajardo attended the University of Debu (2007-2011)
• Fajardo is from Cebu, Philippines 

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Hong Kong Eastern’s Players To Watch 

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#0 Hayden Blankley — Forward, 6-foot-5

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists
• Joined Hong Kong Eastern in 2024
• Blankley attended West Texas A&M University
• Blankley is from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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#21 Cameron Clark — Forward, 6-foot-5 

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists
• Clark has played professionally in Italy, Israel, France, Turkey Germany, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bahrain and the Philippines 
• Clark joined Hong Kong Eastern in 2024 
• 2017 LNB Pro A Champion with Élan Chalon (France)
• 2017 All-LNB Pro A First Team with Élan Chalon (France)
• 2017 LNB Pro A Scoring Champion with Élan Chalon (France)
• 2017 All-FIBA Europe Cup First Team with Élan Chalon (France)
• 2017 FIBA Europe Cup Scoring Champion with Élan Chalon (France)
• Clark went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft 
• Clark attended Oklahoma University (2010-2014) 
• Clark is from Phoenix, Arizona, USA 

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#11 Glen Yang — Guard, 6-foot-3 

• 2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists
• Yang joined Hong Kong Eastern in 2024
• Yang has played professionally in Spain, Canada, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines 
• Yang attended Mount Royal University (2014-2018) 
• Yang is from Hong Kong SAR 

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San Miguel By The Numbers 

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Team History

• Founded in 1975
• 29x PBA Champion
• 45 PBA Finals Appearances

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2024-25 EASL Statistic Leaders 

• Points: Torren Jones — 21.5 ppg
• Rebounds: Torren Jones — 12.0 rpg 
• Assists: Chris Ross — 3.0 apg 
• Steals: CJ Perez — 1.0 spg
• Blocks: June Mar Fajardo — 1.3 bpg

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2024-25 EASL Results 

• 5th in Group A 
• Group stage record: 0-4 
• Game 1: 87-81 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom (KBL) — Oct. 2, 2024 
• Game 2: 101-85 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) — Nov. 13, 2024 
• Game 3: 71-62 loss against Hong Kong Eastern (Hong Kong SAR) — Dec. 18, 2024 
• Game 4: 94-63 loss against Hiroshima Dragonflies (B.LEAGUE) — Jan. 8, 2025 

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2024-25 EASL Upcoming Games 

• Home vs. Hong Kong Eastern (HK) – Jan. 15, 2025
• Away vs. Suwon KT Sonicboom (KBL) – Feb. 12, 2025

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Hong Kong Eastern By The Numbers 

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Team History

• Founded in 2017 

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2024-25 EASL Statistic Leaders 

• Points: Chris McLaughlin — 18.5 ppg
• Rebounds: Chris McLaughlin — 13.5 rpg
• Assists: Glen Yang — 3.3 apg
• Steals: Chris McLaughlin, Cameron Clark — 2.0 spg
• Blocks: Cameron Clark — 1.0 bpg

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2024-25 EASL Results 

• 3rd in Group A 
• Group stage record: 2-2 
• Game 1: 78-67 loss against Hiroshima Dragonflies (B.LEAGUE) — Oct. 16, 2024 
• Game 2: 88-75 loss against Hiroshima Dragonflies (B.LEAGUE) — Oct. 30, 2024 
• Game 3: 71-62 win against San Miguel Beermen (PBA) — Dec. 18, 2024 
• Game 4: 69-61 win against Suwon KT Sonicboom (KBL) — Jan. 7, 2025

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2024-25 EASL Upcoming Games 

• Away vs. San Miguel Beermen (PBA) — Jan. 15, 2025
• Away vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) — Feb. 5, 2025