GAME NOTES: GROUP A — San Miguel Beermen (0-4) vs. Hong Kong Eastern (2-2)

HK’s Final 4 Hopes On The Line As SMB Looks To Play Spoiler

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

Hong Kong's Cameron Clark scores a finger-roll layup against the Hiroshima Dragonflies on October 30. After two losses to start their EASL campaign, Eastern has won two straight but must keep winning to stay in the hunt for the Final Four.

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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

The San Miguel Beermen and Hong Kong Eastern will face each other for the third time in less than a month on Wednesday. Hong Kong leads the head-to-head series 2-0.

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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

Hong Kong forward Hayden Blankley drives past San Miguel's Marcio Lassiter during their first matchup on Dec. 18, 2024. In two EASL games, Blankley has been a key contributor for Eastern, averaging 10 points and 3.5 rebounds.

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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