A NEW chapter has officially begun for Philippine basketball on the international stage.
The East Asia Super League (EASL) has proudly welcomed the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as its newest Philippine league partner for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
READ: Here's why the PBA and EASL are headed for a break-up
Headlining this historic partnership are the Abra Solid North Weavers who are set to break new ground as the first-ever MPBL club to compete in the prestigious regional tournament.
For MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao, the entry of the league into the EASL validates their long-standing mission to elevate grassroots and regional hoops.
“This is a proud moment for the MPBL,” he stated. “From the beginning, our vision has been to create opportunities for Filipino basketball to continue growing.”
Pacquiao is also happy to see Abra take the MPBL to a higher level by being serious in forming a competitive team in just three years.
“They earned the right to call themselves MPBL champions and now, they have the opportunity to represent our league and Philippine basketball against some of the best teams in Asia. We are excited to join EASL and fight for a championship,” said boxing's only eight-division world champion.
MPBL's gold standard
The Weavers’ ascent has been nothing short of meteoric.
After struggling in its maiden campaign in 2024, the franchise completely turned its fortunes around to rule the 2025 season - and currently, it is on track for back-to-back championships.
Abra team owner JB Bernos expressed immense pride in the milestone, acknowledging the weight of representing the country in such a top-tier competition.
“It's an honor for us to be recognized by the EASL. This is a very prestigious regional league. Just being given the chance to compete side by side with these ball clubs is already an honor,” he said.
When asked about their chances against established EASL juggernauts—such as past champions Chiba Jets, Hiroshima Dragonflies, and Utsunomiya Brex—Bernos opted to temper expectations.
“Though we are known for our winning culture, the EASL is a different level. And like how we started in the MPBL three years ago, we will take it in stride. One game, one tournament at a time,” the amiable team owner admitted.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Bernos is committed to putting up a squad worthy of the international spotlight.
"Basta, we will strive to form a competitive team relying on young players we will discover and tap for this mission,” he said.
“Thank you to Senator Pacquiao for facilitating this campaign for us. Hopefully, this will inspire other MPBL teams, as well as other ball clubs in the country to be competitive.”
For Abra, the EASL campaign is ultimately about paving the way for the next generation of Filipino hoopers.
“Our aim here is to further expose local talents to higher-level competitions, and we will make the most out of this opportunity,” Bernos concluded.
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