Sonicboom start East Asia Super League with win in Philippines

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Sonicboom start East Asia Super League with win in Philippines

Published: 03 Oct. 2024, 13:32 Updated: 03 Oct. 2024, 16:17

PAIK JI-HWAN
paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr

Suwon KT Sonicboom's Rayshaun Hammonds in action during a 2024-25 East Asia Super League game against San Miguel Beermen at Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines on Wednesday. [EASL]

KBL team Suwon KT Sonicboom beat the San Miguel Beermen 87-81 in their first 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) game at Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines on Wednesday.

Sonicboom faced Beermen off the back of a long summer, with the 2024-25 KBL season still to start later this month, but pulled off the win thanks partially to a remarkable performance from Rayshaun Hammonds, who scored 39 points as top scorer of the game.

The Suwon side grabbed the first quarter 23-20 and finished the second down 43-39, but reclaimed their lead by the end of the third quarter at 68-62 and ended the game up 87-81.

Heo Hoon also shone during the game, scoring 17 points as the team’s second-top scorer.

The win comes before Sonicboom return to KBL action at the KBL Cup — a preseason tournament — tipping off Saturday.

Sonicboom are set to play both EASL and KBL games for the majority of the 2024-25 season as both schedules overlap from October through February, when the EASL group stage finishes.

This year is the first time Sonicboom have competed in the EASL, where 10 teams from across Asia compete. Last season’s KBL Championship winners Busan KCC Egis are also participating for the first time in the tournament this year.

Sonicboom are in Group A with Beermen, Hiroshima Dragonflies from Japan, Taoyuan Pauian Pilots from Taiwan and Hong Kong Eastern from Hong Kong.

Over in Group B, Egis compete with Meralco Bets from the Philippines, Ryukyu Golden Kings from Japan, New Taipei Kings from Taiwan and Macau Black Bears from Macau.

The group stage takes place with a home-and-away round robin format, with the top two teams from each group reaching the semifinals.

Sonicboom will be back in EASL action against the Pilots on Oct. 23 at home, while Egis play their first EASL game against the Bears in Macau on Nov. 6.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]