With a 100-89 victory over the TSG Ghosthawks, the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots have officially secured a P. LEAGUE+ playoff berth with eight games remaining. Sitting atop the standings with a 13-3 record, they have yet to lock in the No. 1 seed but are guaranteed postseason basketball in May.

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After claiming the P. LEAGUE+ regular season title in 2023-24, Taoyuan has carried its dominance into this campaign, dropping only three of 16 games while averaging over 100 points per contest. Shooting guard Lu Chun-Hsiang leads the team in scoring with 18.3 points per game, while import Julian Boyd has been a force inside, averaging a double-double with 17.5 points and 11.3 rebounds.

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For Taoyuan, clinching a playoff spot is a significant step toward securing a second consecutive East Asia Super League (EASL) appearance. Under a long-term agreement between EASL and the P. LEAGUE+, the league finalists qualify for the 2025-26 EASL season. If Taoyuan secures the No. 1 seed, it will automatically advance to the championship game and likely earn a spot. Even without the top seed, the Pilots can still qualify by winning their best-of-five semifinal series.

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This season, Taoyuan has been one of the standout teams in EASL. A 3-0 start made it early Group A leaders, but recent losses have tightened the race. Now, the Pilots face a must-win matchup against Hong Kong Eastern, the reigning HKA1 champions, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7:10 p.m. CST. A victory would secure their first-ever EASL Final Four berth, while a loss would end their EASL campaign, shifting focus back to domestic competition for another shot next season.

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To watch the Pilots in their do-or-die clash, visit the "Watch" tab on EASL's website for broadcast details in your region.