March 19, 2026

EASL Finals 2026 Press Conference Previews Semifinal Round as Asia's Elite Converge on Macau

00 min read

EASL Finals 2026 Press Conference Previews Semifinal Round as Asia's Elite Converge on Macau

Written By

Tyler Schiff

EASL Finals 2026 Press Conference Previews Semifinal Round as Asia's Elite Converge on Macau

Four EASL Finals semifinalists met with media in Macau on Thursday. Players, coaches league officials and more set the stage for Friday's semifinals.

The EASL Finals held its official press conference for its third postseason as representatives from all four semifinal teams gathered in Macau to speak to media, alongside EASL CEO Henry Kerins and Senior Vice President and General Manager at Studio City Macau, Kevin Benning.

Alvark Tokyo (B.LEAGUE), the Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE), Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+), and Utsunomiya Brex (B.LEAGUE) took to the podium ahead of the semifinal round, each expressing their appreciation for a competition that brings together the best from every market across the region — champions pitted against champions on a genuinely international stage.

"There's no need to talk about motivation (when it comes to the EASL Finals," star Alvark point guard Kai Toews said. "It's a big opportunity and we're ready to play." 

To open the press conference, media heard first from Kerins, who was emphatic about his enthusiasm for Macau as the home of the EASL Finals. Now in its second consecutive postseason in the city, the EASL's relationship with Macau runs deep — dating back to 2017 — when the league first brought its week-long tournaments here before evolving into the 36-game regular season format it runs today.  

"Macau has been part of our story from the very beginning," Kerins said. "What we're building here — bringing Asia's best teams together in one of the region's great cities — is exactly the kind of integrated sports experience that puts Macau on the map for the right reasons. We believe the best is still to come."

Benning echoed that sentiment on behalf of Studio City, welcoming Asia's premier basketball competition back within its walls for another postseason run.

"Hosting the EASL Finals for a second consecutive year reinforces our commitment to supporting the positioning of Macau SAR as a global hub for elite sports,” Benning said. "For us, this is about more than just hosting a tournament, it’s about bringing that 'Fun Never Ends' energy to life for fans across the region. We’ve created a world-class stage where elite athletics and the spirit of Macau converge, and we are ready for the world to see it.”

The EASL Finals has grown into one of the region's most significant sporting events, and Macau has been central to that story. By anchoring its postseason here for the second consecutive year, the league continues to draw fans and media from across the continent — bringing the kind of sports tourism that puts Macau on the map as a destination for elite Asian competition.

The semifinal round tips off on Friday, March 20 with the Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE) taking on the Utsunomiya Brex (B.LEAGUE) at 18:00, followed by Alvark Tokyo (B.LEAGUE) facing the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (P. LEAGUE+) at 20:30. Both games are held at the Studio City Event Center.

The two winners advance to the Finals, where the champion will take home $1.5 million USD from a prize pool that also includes $750,000 for the runner-up and $375,000 for third place.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get the latest

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong.

More news

Clear

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
KT Hands Hiroshima Its First Loss Following a Back-and-Forth Game
KT Hands Hiroshima Its First Loss Following a Back-and-Forth Game

4 Dec

Suwon KT Sonicboom

Hiroshima Dragonflies

GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Ryukyu Golden Kings (2-0) vs. Busan KCC Egis (0-2)
GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Ryukyu Golden Kings (2-0) vs. Busan KCC Egis (0-2)

2 Dec

Ryukyu Golden Kings

Busan KCC Egis

GAME NOTES: GROUP A — Suwon KT Sonicboom (1-1) vs. Hiroshima Dragonflies (2-0)
GAME NOTES: GROUP A — Suwon KT Sonicboom (1-1) vs. Hiroshima Dragonflies (2-0)

2 Dec

Hiroshima Dragonflies

Suwon KT Sonicboom

Everything You Need To Know About EASL’s 2024 Macau Classic
Everything You Need To Know About EASL’s 2024 Macau Classic

1 Dec

Macau Black Bears

Suwon KT Sonicboom

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

New Taipei Kings

Damian Chong Qui named EASL November POTM, two Taoyuan players named to TOTM
Damian Chong Qui named EASL November POTM, two Taoyuan players named to TOTM

28 Nov

Busan KCC Egis

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

Meralco Bolts

Hong Kong Eastern to make PBA debut on Nov. 27
Hong Kong Eastern to make PBA debut on Nov. 27

26 Nov

Hong Kong Eastern

Black Bears Part Ways with Two Players; Replacements to be Announced
Black Bears Part Ways with Two Players; Replacements to be Announced

25 Nov

Macau Black Bears

EASL well represented in latest FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
EASL well represented in latest FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

21 Nov

Hiroshima Dragonflies

Ryukyu Golden Kings

Macau Black Bears

Meralco Bolts

San Miguel Beermen

Suwon KT signs center Jordan Morgan to replace Jeremiah Tilmon Jr.
Suwon KT signs center Jordan Morgan to replace Jeremiah Tilmon Jr.

19 Nov

Suwon KT Sonicboom

Pilots Dominate Beermen in Feisty Affair in Manila
Pilots Dominate Beermen in Feisty Affair in Manila

13 Nov

San Miguel Beermen

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

Late Foul Completes Meralco's Comeback over KCC
Late Foul Completes Meralco's Comeback over KCC

13 Nov

Meralco Bolts

Busan KCC Egis

Meralco Bolts Sign Akil Mitchell As New Import
Meralco Bolts Sign Akil Mitchell As New Import

12 Nov

Meralco Bolts

GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Meralco Bolts (1-1) vs. Busan KCC Egis (0-1)
GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Meralco Bolts (1-1) vs. Busan KCC Egis (0-1)

11 Nov

No items found.
GAME NOTES: GROUP A — San Miguel Beermen (0-1) vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (1-0)
GAME NOTES: GROUP A — San Miguel Beermen (0-1) vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (1-0)

11 Nov

San Miguel Beermen

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

Kerry Blackshear Jr. earns EASL October POTM, Heo, Cooley feature in TOTM
Kerry Blackshear Jr. earns EASL October POTM, Heo, Cooley feature in TOTM

6 Nov

Hiroshima Dragonflies

Macau Black Bears

Suwon KT Sonicboom

Ryukyu Golden Kings

Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

Damian Chong Qui’s Triple-Double, Jeantal Cylla’s 34 Points Lead Macau To Win
Damian Chong Qui’s Triple-Double, Jeantal Cylla’s 34 Points Lead Macau To Win

6 Nov

Macau Black Bears

Busan KCC Egis

No Results Found

Please clear your search and try again.

The Latest Stats From the Game

View Stats

Get Social

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get the latest

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong.

Watch all the games Live & Free

Watch Now

Product Partners

Product Partners

Product Partners