Where: Tap Seac Multi-Sports Pavilion

When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 8:10 P.M. HKT
Group: Group C
Team Records: Macau Hou Chon  (0-1) / Nagasaki Velca (0-1)

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THE RUNDOWN

After several weeks off, Macau Hou Chon and Nagasaki Velca finally have their opportunity to grab the first win of their EASL campaigns, as they travel to Macau SAR at the Tap Seac Multi-Sports Pavilion.

Both squads have had their first taste of EASL action in their respective debut seasons, though the results have not been in their favor. But despite the losses that came in different ways, they still went down swinging. Which team will get the breakthrough first EASL win?

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MACAU HOU CHON

For a moment, Hou Chon was looking like a disastrous debut was on the horizon, as they trailed by as many as 28 points against the Taipei Fubon Braves inside the SM Seaside Cebu Arena during EASL Tipoff 2026. 

But Hou Chon showed that they still had a lot of fight in them despite not having their entire lineup available. They were able to trim the deficit down to 12 behind Phoenix Shackelford and Damian Chonqui, but ultimately ran out of time, as they fell 103-89.

Despite the loss, there were still glimmers of positivity behind the stellar backcourt play of Shackleford (23 points, 7 assists) as well as Chonqui, who became the EASL All-Time Assist Leader with his 5 assists in the game. 

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NAGASAKI VELCA‍

While Hou Chon was playing from behind their entire game, it was a different situation for Velca.

Against Busan KCC Egis,  Velca was right there with them, trading shot for shot until we entered the final frame. At that point, a flurry of baskets from Louis King helped KCC Egis pull away. Nagasaki struggled to slow him down, as he erupted for 44 points to lead the KBL Champions squad.

Velca was led by a solid performance from star guard Yudai Baba, as he tallied 16 points and 6 assists. Import Levi Randolph had 16 points of his own, while Io Nagano tallied 10 assists, the 2nd most by a player in his EASL debut.‍‍

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‍SPOTLIGHT STORYLINE: lReinforcements Needed‍

Macau Hou Chon is set to have their full complement of players available against Nagasaki, including a rejuvenated front court.

They recently announced the signing of Dillon Stith who brings with him over 10 years of experience playing across Australia, Europe and Asia. He recently represented Australia at the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup in Singapore in 2025, where they won the Gold Medal. 

Another big piece the team added was Princepal Singh, who the team was hoping to have in their first game but was ultimately unavailable. He will provide even more front court depth for Hou Chon, and should be a critical piece moving forward.

For Velca, they will be shorthanded on the road, as news broke that Baba and Import Jarrell Brantley will not be available to play. As a result, there will be even more pressure on Levi Randolph, Kenji Matsumoto and the rest of Nagasaki's finest to shoulder the load. Who will step on the road for the visiting squad?