EASL: Victor Law lifts Ryukyu Golden Kings to secure B1 seed
Victor Law led the Ryukyu Golden Kings in securing the B1 seed in the East Asia Super League (EASL) 2024-25 season after beating the Meralco Bolts, 89-71, on Wednesday night, January 22, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Law had a game-high 20 points in spearheading Ryukyu to victory. He also tallied eight rebounds, five assists, and two deflections in 34 minutes of play.
The Ryukyu team captain shot 5-of-8 from the two-point area, 2-of-6 from rainbow country, and a perfect 4-of-4 from the stripe. He also had the highest efficiency of the game with 25.
Golden Kings import Alex Kirk also had an efficiency of 25, and finished the game with 19 markers, eight boards, one assists, and a block.
Their other import, Keve Aluma was also instrumental to the game as he produced 18 points, eight coming from the third when they had a 19-point lead, the highest of the game.
Two more players scored in double-digits for Ryukyu -- Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki and Ryuichi Kishimoto scored 12 points apiece.
Kishomoto and Golden Kings head coach Dai Oketani attended the post-game interview to tell their thoughts about the game.
The B.League guard said that it was his first time to visit and play in the Philippines and he was very appreciative of the experience.
Same goes with coach Oketani who acknowledged the Philippine brand of basketball specially Chris Newsome, whom he said was a very tough opponent in their part.
The Meralco team captain responded that he was humbled with the compliment and it just means that he's playing basketball the right way.
Newsome produced 12 points, five assists, one steal, and a block to pace the Bolts, while Cliff Hodge and Ange Kouame put up 13 markers each.
Meralco's import David Kennedy only scored three points on 1-of-8 shooting, while their other import Akil Mitchell suited up but did not play as he had a hurting back.
The Bolts still have one game remaining on February 12 in Taiwan against the New Taipei Kings. They need to win that match for them to enter the Final Four.
The Scores:
RYUKYU (89) – Law 20, Kirk 19, Aluma 18, Kishimoto 12, Matsuwaki 12, Onodera 6, Ito 2, Tsukamoto 0, Eumatsu 0, Arakawa 0, Waki 0, Taira 0.
MERALCO (71) – Hodge 13, Kouame 13, Newsome 12, Banchero 9, Bates 6, Cansino 6, Quinto 5, Rios 3, Kennedy 3, Almazan 1, Caram 0.
Quarter Scores: 23-22; 50-41; 75-56; 89-71.
Similar news
The NLEX Road Warriors wrapped up their preseason on a high note, clinching the 40th Kadayawan Invitational championship with a commanding 101-84 victory over the Blackwater Bossing on Sunday night, August 26, at the University of Southern Philippines in Davao City.
It wasn’t the smoothest of starts for NLEX, which found itself down by 11 early in the game. But the tide shifted in the second quarter, where the Road Warriors erupted for a 34-12 run behind the efforts of Robert Bolick, Dominic Fajardo, Tony Semerad, and Xyrus Torres to seize a 52-36 halftime lead.
Blackwater attempted a late push, cutting the gap to 76-65 in the fourth quarter, but NLEX responded with a 12-5 counter that put the game out of reach. Semerad, who buried three triples in the payoff period, earned Finals MVP honors with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Torres topped the scoring for NLEX with 19 markers, while Bolick came close to a triple-double with eight points, six boards, and nine assists. JB Bahio and Fajardo chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively. As a team, the Road Warriors torched the net from beyond the arc, going 18-of-34, with Semerad and Torres sinking four each.
Sedrick Barefield paced Blackwater with 15 points, while Richard Escoto added 14. The Bossing, despite falling short in the finals, had an impressive run in the preliminaries, including a comeback win over NLEX, 95-90, earlier in the tournament.
The championship serves as a timely boost for NLEX heading into the new PBA season. Last year, the Road Warriors finished second in the Philippine Cup eliminations before bowing out in the quarterfinals against Rain or Shine. Deputy mentor Adonis Tierra called the shots in their last two games, steering the team to become the second straight PBA squad to lift the Kadayawan crown, following Rain or Shine’s sweep in 2024. NLEX closed the tournament with a 3-1 card, their lone loss coming at the hands of Blackwater.
In the battle for third place, Phoenix avoided a winless campaign with a convincing 101-81 rout of Converge. Raffy Verano led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay contributed 17 and 15 markers, respectively. The win marked the first for new head coach Willy Wilson, who took over during the offseason. Coincidentally, Phoenix also defeated Converge for third place in last year’s edition of the tournament.
The NLEX Road Warriors and Blackwater Bossing opened their campaigns in the 2025 Kadayawan Invitational with victories in their respective first games on Thursday, August 21, at the USEP Gym in Davao City.
In the first game, Sedrick Barefield made an immediate impact for the Bossing. The 2024 second overall pick erupted for 28 points, including six triples. Three of those came in succession in the fourth quarter, turning a slim 72-66 lead into a more comfortable 81-68 cushion.
Troy Mallillin contributed 17 points and six rebounds, while newcomer Jed Mendoza impressed in his debut with 16 points.
For the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay scored 12 points apiece in their first game under new head coach Willie Wilson, who took over from Jamike Jarin after he was moved to a team consultant role.
The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM