THE two protagonists of the recently concluded PBA Philippine Cup, the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the TNT Tropang Giga, are going to be endorsed as the league’s representatives to the inaugural season of the East Asia Super League (EASL).

The EASL will kick off in Oct. 2021 but early on, EASL business development head Dioceldo Sy, who is also Blackwater’s owner, has already set his eyes on endorsing the two powerhouse teams’ participation in the tournament that dangles $1 million for the champion squad.

The PBA Board discussed the league’s participation in the said event earlier this month. League commissioner Willie Marcial said the Board could possibly meet again next year to decide on the matter.

The EASL is a super competitive league that draws top teams from South Korea, Japan and China. Eight teams will be grouped into two with the top two from each division advancing to the semifinal round.

The runner-up squad will go home with $500,000 while the third-place team will bag $250,000.

TNT is no stranger to this competition as it saw action in the 2019 edition of this event, alongside PBA teams Blackwater and San Miguel.

TNT already had its taste of action in the EASL when it saw action in the 2019 edition along with San Miguel Beer and Blackwater.

The Liaoning Flying Leopards, which had former NBA player Lance Stephenson, eventually came away with the championship. (JNP)