GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Busan KCC Egis (1-3) vs. Macau Black Bears (2-3)

Written by EASL

Tyler Schiff

Related Tags

Related Teams

Loser Eliminated From Final Four Contention

January 15, 2025 — Busan Sajik Gymnasium

‍

Where To Watch

‍

The Busan KCC Egis and the Macau Black Bears tip off at 6:10 p.m. CST. Here’s where you can catch the game!

‍

S. Korea

Watch the game through CJ Entertainment’s streaming platform, TVING (OTT).

‍

Macau SAR

Watch the game through TDM (free TV, OTT) & Macau Cable TV (pay TV).

‍

‍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.

‍

Get Your Tickets

‍

Get your tickets now at https://www.kbl.or.kr/ticket/eas-league.

‍

‍Note: Those interested must create a Korean Basketball League (KBL) website membership to purchase tickets.

‍

Storylines

‍

Lose And You’re Out

Busan KCC's Heo Ung (right) and Macau's Damian Chong Qui exchange fist bumps ahead of their first matchup on Nov. 6. When the two teams face off again on Wednesday, the losing team will be eliminated from postseason contention.

‍

Busan KCC and Macau, both with three losses in Group B, face elimination from postseason contention with another loss. While a win offers slim chances for the Final Four, a loss would effectively end their EASL hopes, leaving only their remaining regular season games.

‍

This isn’t the first time the two teams have faced each other. On Nov. 6, the Black Bears hosted the Egi and defeated them 111-97, led by the league’s first-ever triple-double from star point guard Damian Chong Qui. But a lot has changed since then. Macau has since lost two of its star import players, while Busan enters this second meeting following a surprise 72-68 victory over the Meralco Bolts — a team that Macau lost to at the EASL Tip-Off 2024 on Oct. 2.

‍

A key theme to watch as these teams face off is their limited bench depth. KCC has struggled with injuries throughout the 2024-25 season, often requiring two or three key players to play nearly the entire game. On the other hand, Macau typically operates with a tight six-to-seven-man rotation, relying heavily on Chong Qui to create. Given their similar approaches, it will be interesting to see which team executes better.

‍

The Finish Line

Macau center Samuel Deguara throws down a two-handed dunk as New Taipei players watch during the Macau Classic on Dec. 11. The Black Bears will play their final regular season game on Wednesday, finishing their six-game schedule first this season.

‍

Jan. 15 could mark Macau’s final EASL game of the 2024-25 season. Win or lose, the Black Bears will be the first team to complete all six of their regular season games.

‍

One of two expansion teams in this year’s EASL, Macau began the season with a loss but quickly rebounded with a surprising 109-97 road victory over Jeremy Lin and the New Taipei Kings on Oct. 23. They followed that with a narrow 96-93 defeat to Group B leaders and Japanese powerhouse Ryukyu Golden Kings before defeating Busan KCC in their first meeting. However, the Black Bears missed an opportunity to complete a season sweep of New Taipei, suffering a heavy 114-95 loss at the Macau Classic on Dec. 11. Currently, they hold a 1-3 record and sit fourth in Group B.

‍

Macau’s success this season has largely been driven by star point guard Damian Chong Qui, who has been the team’s centerpiece, averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game. And whether they defeat Busan KCC on Wednesday or not, the Black Bears have exceeded preseason expectations, proving that as a new addition to the league, they can compete with some of Asia’s top teams — even if a Final Four berth remains out of reach.

‍

Big-Time Trade

Former Busan KCC player Deonte Burton controls the ball during an EASL game on Nov. 13. He was traded to the Anyang JKJ Red Boosters on Jan. 10 for 6-foot-10 center Cady Lalanne. Burton averaged 31.3 points in four EASL games.

‍

KCC’s matchup against Macau marks the start of a new chapter in their EASL journey. In their first four games, the team relied heavily on import star and former NBA journeyman Deonte Burton. However, on Jan. 10, the Egis traded Burton to the KBL’s Anyang JKJ Red Boosters in exchange for 6-foot-10 big man Cady Lalanne.

‍

During his four-game EASL stint, Burton was a standout performer, averaging 31.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Despite these impressive numbers, his tenure was cut short due to reports of frequent clashes with head coach Jeon Chang-Jin and a perceived lack of effort on defense. These issues ultimately led to the departure of the former KBL Foreign MVP, who had only joined the team this offseason.

‍

With Lalanne, Busan KCC significantly strengthens its frontcourt. Before his arrival, the team’s tallest player was 38-year-old midseason signing Leon Williams, who stands at 6-foot-6. Lalanne brings size and presence to the paint, enhancing the Egis’ rebounding and defensive capabilities. In the KBL, the former second-round NBA draft pick has averaged 13.6 points and 10.5 rebounds, providing a much-needed boost to the team’s interior play.

‍

Busan KCC Egis’ Players To Watch

‍

#3 Heo Ung — Guard, 6-foot-1

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 19.0 points, 0.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists
2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 14.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists
2024 KBL Champion
2024 KBL Playoffs MVP
Current South Korean National Team Player
2022 KBL Best 5
Joined the Busan KCC Egis in 2022
2018 Asian Games Bronze Medalist
2017 FIBA Asia Cup Bronze Medalist
2016 KBL Most Improved Player with Wonju DB Promy
5th Overall Pick in the 2014 KBL Draft
Heo attended Yonsei University
Heo is from Seoul, South Korea

‍

#33 Lee Seoung-Hyun — Forward, 6-foot-5

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 6.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists
2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
2024 KBL Champion
Joined the Busan KCC Egis in 2022
Current South Korean National Team Player
2017 FIBA Asia Cup Bronze Medalist
1st Overall Pick in the 2014 KBL Draft
Lee attended Korea University
Lee is from Gumi, South Korea

‍

#92 Cady Lalanne — Center, 6-foot-10

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: Lalanne is scheduled to make his EASL debut against the Macau Black Bears on Jan. 15.
2024-25 KBL Season Averages: 13.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Joined the Busan KCC Egis in 2024
Lalanne has previously played professionally in Puerto Rico, Italy, Spain and Kuwait
Previously played in the KBL with the Changwon LG Sakers (2019-2021) and the Suwon KT Sonicboom (2021-2022)
Lalanne played for the NBA D-League’s Austin Spurs during the 2015-2016 season
Lalanne was the 55th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft
Lalanne attended the University of Massachusetts (2011-2015)
Lalanne is from Port-au-Prince, Haiti

‍

Macau Black Bears’ Players To Watch

‍

#2 Damian Chong Qui — Guard, 5-foot-8

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.6 assists
Joined the Macau Black Bears in 2024
2020-21 All-NEC First Team
2020-21 All-NEC Tournament Team
2020-21 NEC Assists Leader (5.3 apg)
2020-21 NABC All-District First Team
2019-20 NEC Most Improved Player
2019-20 All-NEC Third Team
Chong Qui attended college at Mount Saint Mary’s (2018-2021) and Purdue University Fort Wayne (2021-2023)
Chong Qui is from Baltimore, Maryland, USA

‍

#4 Jenning Leung — Guard, 6-foot-1

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Leung played in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) and The Asian Tournament (TAT) with the Macau Black Bears
Leung joined the Macau Black Bears in 2019
Leung previously played in the ABL with the Zhuhai Wolf Warriors.
Leung attended McGill University (Canada, 2013-2018)
Leung is from Laguna, Philippines

‍

#23 Samuel Deguara — Center, 7-foot-6