GAME NOTES: GROUP A — Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (3-2) vs. Hong Kong Eastern (3-2)

February 3, 2025 — Taoyuan Arena, Taoyuan City

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Where to Watch:

The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and the Hong Kong Eastern tip off at 19:10 CT. Here’s where you can catch the game!

Chinese Taipei:

Watch the game live on Videoland (Pay TV), Videoland’s Twitch and YouTube Channels, or watch via the streaming platform, PTS+ (OTT).

Hong Kong SAR:

Watch the game on HOY TV (Channel 76).

Outside These Regions:

Visit the ‘Watch’ tab on the EASL website to find streaming options in your area.

Get Your Tickets

Get your tickets now at https://ticket.ibon.com.tw/ActivityInfo/Details/38579.

Storylines:

Win and You’re In

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It all comes down to this: a showdown between the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and the Hong Kong Eastern. The winner advances to the EASL Final Four 2025 in Studio City Macau, while the loser goes home.

The Pilots started their season strong, opening their EASL campaign with three consecutive wins over the Suwon KT Sonicboom (twice) and the San Miguel Beermen. However, back-to-back losses to the defending B.LEAGUE champions, the Hiroshima Dragonflies, brought them back to earth, leaving them with a 3-2 record heading into this pivotal game.

Hong Kong Eastern’s journey mirrored Taoyuan’s but in reverse. After suffering consecutive defeats to the Dragonflies, Eastern bounced back with three straight victories over the San Miguel Beermen (twice) and the Suwon KT Sonicboom, also entering this matchup at 3-2.

With both teams producing nearly identical results, who will emerge victorious and secure their ticket to Macau?

Graham Mayham

Former NBA player Treveon Graham has stood out in the EASL this season, averaging 28 points per game in his first three appearances—all wins.

However, a foot injury in December sidelined him for the team’s fourth game against the Hiroshima Dragonflies on Christmas Day, which resulted a loss. Graham returned on Jan. 22 in the rematch but struggled to find his rhythm. Despite logging a team-high 36 minutes, he managed just 16 points on 40% shooting in a three-point loss.

As one of Taoyuan’s most prolific scorers, Graham will be the focal point of the Pilots’ offense. For Taoyuan to punch its ticket to the Final Four, Graham must regain his form.

McLaughlin: The Double-Double Machine

Eastern import Chris McLaughlin has been Hong Kong’s best player this season, averaging 17.8 points and 14.2 rebounds across five games.

Being listed at 6-foot-10, McLaughlin has recorded a double-double in every game this season. His basketball IQ and positioning have allowed him to consistently out-rebound larger opponents.

The Canadian forward’s strong performance earned him a spot on EASL’s January Team of the Month. With one game left in the Group Stage, McLaughlin must be at his best to counter Taoyuan’s 7-foot center Alec Brown, who anchors the Pilots’ interior defense.

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Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+ — Chinese Taipei) Players to Watch:

‍#69 Lu Chun-Hsiang — Guard, 6-foot-3

2024-25 EASL Averages: 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists
P. LEAGUE+ All-Time Leading Scorer
2024 P. LEAGUE+ MVP with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
2-time P. LEAGUE+ First-Team of the Year with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (2023, 2024)
2-time P. LEAGUE+ Defensive First-Team of the Year with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (2023, 2024)
2022 P. LEAGUE+ Sixth-Man of the Year with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
2022 P. LEAGUE+ Second-Team of the Year with Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
2021 SBL Rookie of the Year with Taoyuan Pilots
Lu joined the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in 2021
Lu attended the Taichung National University of Science and Technology
Lu is from Gongguan, Miaoli, Chinese Taipei

#24 Treveon Graham — Forward, 6-foot-5

2024-25 EASL Averages: 25.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists
Graham spent time in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets (2016-18), Brooklyn Nets (2018-19), Minnesota Timberwolves (2019-20) and Atlanta Hawks (2020)
Graham went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft
2-time First-Team All-Atlantic 10 with Virginia Commonwealth University (2014, 2015)
2013 Second Team All-Atlantic 10 with Virginia Commonwealth University
2015 Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP with Virginia Commonwealth University
Graham joined the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in 2024
Graham attended Virginia Commonwealth University (2011-2015)
Graham is from Washington D.C., USA

#21 Alec Brown — Center, 7-foot-0

2024-25 EASL Averages: 22.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Played for the NBA developmental league affiliates, Bakersfield Jam (now known as Motor City Cruise) (2015-16) and Windy City Bulls (2016-17)
Brown was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 50th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft
2014 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year with Green Bay College
2-time First-Team All-Horizon League with Green Bay College (2012, 2014)
Brown joined the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in 2023
Brown attended college at Green Bay College (2010-2014)
Brown is from Winona, Minnesota, USA

‍Hong Kong Eastern (Hong Kong SAR) Players to Watch:

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

2024-25 EASL Averages: 10. points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Blankley joined the Hong Kong Eastern in 2024
Blankley attended college at West Texas A&M University
Blankley is from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

#21 Cameron Clark — Forward, 6-foot-5

2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 19.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Clark has played professionally in Italy, Israel, France, Turkey Germany, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bahrain and the Philippines
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 joined Hong Kong Eastern in 2024
Clark attended Oklahoma University (2010-2014)
Clark is from Phoenix, Arizona, USA