The New Taipei Kings have earned their spot in the EASL Final Four 2025 as the No. 2 seed from Group B, making them the final team to qualify for the postseason. They secured their spot with a dramatic double-overtime 106-96 victory against the visiting Meralco Bolts. The Kings are now the first team in league history to earn consecutive postseason berths.

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In the first double-overtime game in EASL history, both teams battled in a tightly contested matchup. Playing on the road, the Bolts — led by imports Akil Mitchell and DJ Kennedy — built an 11-point lead that held until the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. However, New Taipei stormed back behind strong performances from Joseph Lin, Austin Daye, and Sani Sakakini, who was later named EASL Player of the Game. Kennedy had a chance to seal the win for Meralco at the end of regulation but missed a go-ahead shot, sending the game into overtime.

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New Taipei appeared to have secured the victory in the first extra period before Meralco’s Jansen Rios hit a desperation three-pointer to tie the game at 91, forcing double overtime. But by then, a fatigued and short-handed Bolts’ squad — dealing with multiple players fouling out — couldn’t keep pace. With a Final Four berth on the line, the Kings took control in the second overtime, completing their comeback and punching their ticket to the next stage.

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New Taipei’s regular season concluded with a 4-2 record, with their only losses coming against Group B leaders, the Ryukyu Golden Kings, and one of two 2024-25 expansion teams, the Macau Black Bears. Despite a slow start to the season at 1-2, the Kings found their rhythm in the latter half, finishing strong with a three-game win streak, including a stunning 99-63 blowout of Ryukyu on Jan. 8.

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As the No. 2 seed from Group B, New Taipei completes the lineup for the EASL Final Four 2025. The Kings will face Japan’s Hiroshima Dragonflies, the No. 1 seed in Group A, in the first semifinal on March 7 at 6:30 p.m. HKT. 

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This isn’t New Taipei’s first encounter with a B.LEAGUE team in the Final Four. During the inaugural 2023-24 EASL season, the Kings also finished 4-2 in the regular season, securing the No. 2 seed in Group B. In the postseason held in Cebu, Philippines, New Taipei reached the semifinals but lost to eventual champions, the Chiba Jets of Japan. They then dropped the third-place game, finishing fourth. Now, they are back with renewed determination.

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The 2024-25 EASL champions will take home $1 million, with the runner-up receiving $500,000 and the third-place team earning $250,000.

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Catch New Taipei’s return to the Final Four and its bid to be crowned the best team in Asian basketball. Get your tickets to EASL Final Four 2025 HERE before they sell out.