Where: Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium  

When: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m. CST

Team Records: Seoul SK Knights (0-1) / Hong Kong Eastern (0-0)

Where to Watch: Ticket Information / Broadcast Information

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‍Projected Starters 

Seoul SK Knights

PG: Kim Nak Hyun — 184cm / 88kg 

SG: Oh Jae Hyun — 186cm / 85kg

SF: Arvin Tolentino — 196cm / 95kg 

PF: Jameel Warney — 199cm / 112kg

C: Darryl Monroe — 198cm / 115kg

Hong Kong Eastern 

PG: Chan Siu Wing — 180cm / 76kg

SG: Glen Yang — 193cm / 91kg

SF: Hayden Blankley — 198cm / 96kg

PF: Ivan Yang — 198cm / 105kg

C: Ian Hummer — 203cm / 110kg


THE RUNDOWN 

EASL returns to Seoul, South Korea, for the first time since the inaugural 2023–24 season as the Seoul SK Knights host Hong Kong Eastern.

Seoul will be fighting for a win to get back to .500 at 1–1, while Hong Kong Eastern, now in its second consecutive EASL season, looks to open its campaign with a hard-earned road win against the reigning KBL runners-up.

In SK’s opening game, the Knights fell to reigning B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex 97–89. Jameel Warney and Arvin Tolentino led the way with 23 and 29 points, respectively, and two more SK players chipped in with double-digit scoring.

On the HKE side, this is a team that brings back many familiar faces from its 2024–25 season. Even as an expansion side last season, Hong Kong came just one win shy of the postseason, losing a heartbreaker on the road to eventual runners-up Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.

If Seoul SK wins, it can draw level with Utsunomiya in the Group A standings. And if Hong Kong Eastern wins, it could climb to the top of Group A and eclipse Taipei Fubon Braves, depending on point differential.

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THE SK KNIGHTS 

This is an important game for SK as it looks to avoid slipping to 0–2 and to keep KBL teams from remaining winless in EASL this year (Changwon LG Sakers are also 0–2).

A big boost is the return of An Young Jun, the reigning KBL Local MVP, whose nagging injuries kept him out of a few domestic league games as well as Seoul’s EASL opening loss against Utsunomiya Brex. In six KBL games so far, An is averaging 13.3 points.

Another thing to watch is whether Asian import Arvin Tolentino can continue his rise after exploding for 29 points, including six three-pointers, in his EASL debut. In the KBL, Tolentino has also started hot, averaging 12.7 points per game with an efficient 57.6 percent inside the arc. From the perimeter, he is not shy, taking just under four three-point attempts per game.

With those two alongside arguably the greatest KBL import ever in Jameel Warney, the Knights have shaken off a slow KBL start, won three straight, and climbed back to mid-table at 7–7.

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HONG KONG EASTERN 

Making its EASL debut on Wednesday, Hong Kong Eastern looks well prepared to shock Asia. The team has done well to bring back veterans and experienced players in Chan Siu Wing, Glen Yang, Hayden Blankley and more. Notable additions include explosive local forward Ivan Yang, who aims to impress with his frame and athleticism. Among the new imports, forwards Ian Hummer and Dominic Gilbert should contribute on both ends of the floor.

In the 2024–25 season, Yang averaged just over 10 points per game for Hong Kong, while Blankley impressed with similar scoring numbers. The latter also led the team with 3.5 assists per game.

Though Eastern started 0–2 last season with two losses to eventual EASL champions Hiroshima Dragonflies of the B.LEAGUE, the team bounced back in strong form, winning three straight to climb to 3–3 and set up a winner-takes-all game against Taoyuan. 

After dropping that one, they return with a vengeance to reach last year’s level and break through this season.

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SPOTLIGHT STORYLINE 

WARNEY MAKES HISTORY 

Wednesday should mark a huge day for Jameel Warney. After making his 2025–26 EASL debut, he reached 232 career EASL points, tying New Taipei Kings’ Kenny Manigault for the most all time. That means against Hong Kong Eastern, his first basket will crown him as EASL’s all-time scoring leader.

Another milestone within reach is the 100-rebound club. Warney is just 10 boards away from the mark, which currently includes only three players, and he can get there in front of the home crowd tomorrow.