ASEAN Basketball League

East Asian basketball league

Basketball league

ASEAN Basketball League

Organising body| Tune Group
Founded| 1 October 2009; 15 years ago (2009-10-01)
First season| 2009–10
Folded| 2023
Country|  Brunei
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Macau
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam
Confederation| FIBA Asia
Divisions| 1
Number of teams| 6–10
Last champions|  Hong Kong Eastern (2nd title)
Most championships|  Hi-Tech Bangkok City
Hong Kong Eastern
(2 titles each)
TV partners| Cable TV (Hong Kong)
Singtel (Singapore)
FPT (Vietnam)
ABL (YouTube)

The ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) was an international professional men's basketball league in Southeast Asia, composed of eight teams from Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), in addition to Hong Kong and Macau. Earlier teams have included Taiwan and Brunei. The league was proposed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and launched its inaugural season on 1 October 2009.

## History

[edit]

### Formation

[edit]

Basketball officials from 6 ASEAN nations gathered in Metro Manila on 1 September 2009 to officially launch the new league. In its inaugural season, there were six participating teams from different nations in Southeast Asia:

Team  | City  | Region

|
|

Brunei Barracudas | Bandar Seri Begawan | Brunei
Kuala Lumpur Dragons | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia
Philippine Patriots | San Juan | Philippines
Satria Muda BritAma | Jakarta | Indonesia
Singapore Slingers | Kallang | Singapore
Thailand Tigers | Bangkok | Thailand

### League expansion

[edit]

On 22 September 2011, the Brunei Barracudas announced that they were bowing out of the third season of ABL after participating for 2 seasons.[1] On 20 October 2011, the Saigon Sports Academy officially announced the participation of Saigon Heat into the third season of ABL, making them the first ever international professional basketball team to represent Vietnam.[2] In the same season, San Miguel Beermen and Bangkok Cobras joined the league along with Saigon Heat. Unfortunately, the Beermen left the ABL after winning the title in 2013. The Cobras also left the league after one season.[3] Further, in 2014, Laskar Dreya South Sumatra (INA) joined and played for a season.

In 2015, Pilipinas MX3 Kings and Mono Vampire joined the league and both teams left in 2016. On 17 July 2016, Kaohsiung Truth from Kaohsiung, Taiwan announced that they will participate in the 2016–17 season.[4] In the same year, the Eastern Basketball Club confirmed its participation in the league.[5] The two teams were the first teams from outside Southeast Asia to compete in the league. The Philippines returned in the league with Alab Pilipinas on 6 August 2016.[6] In September 2017, ABL confirmed four new teams for the 2017–18 season: CLS Knights Indonesia, Formosa Dreamers, the returning Mono Vampire Basketball Club,[7] and the Nanhai Kung Fu after the Kaoshiung Truth disbanded after the seventh season of ABL.

After the 2018 season, the Kung Fu moved to Macau and became the Macau Black Bears,[8] while the league announced the addition of the Zhuhai Wolf Warriors, based in Zhuhai in the Pearl River delta.[9] On 9 September 2019, the league confirmed the entry of the third team from Taiwan, Taipei Fubon Braves situated in Taipei after Formosa Dreamers and disbanded Kaohsiung Truth.[10] Fubon Braves secured the best record in the Super Basketball League and capped it off with the SBL championship after sweeping the Finals series in four games. They are also one of the eight teams to compete in the 2019 FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

### COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty

[edit]

The 2019–20 ABL season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, placing the status of the ABL in uncertainty. The withdrawal of Mono Vampires, the reports of Taiwanese teams planning to join a domestic league, and the inactivity of the league's social media were among the factors that fueled speculations that the ABL itself would fold. However, an ABL co-owner dispelled such rumors, stating that they plan to hold the eleventh season in 2021.[11] Plans to resume the league were postponed again with the new starting date for the season initially being in February 2022.[12] The start date was pushed back again a month later to September.[13] The plan did not proceed, but in October the ABL announced its return.[14]

An invitational tournament was held in 2023 and won by Hong Kong Eastern. On November 20, 2023, the league's uncertainty continued as FIBA had dropped support for the ABL. It is "unlikely to play for the foreseeable future", from statement made by the Singapore Slingers.[15][16]

## Teams

[edit]

Thailand Tigers, Cobras, Hi-Tech, Tigers, Vampire

Alab, Beermen, Kings, Patriots

Kings

Barracudas

Knights, Louvre

Laskar Dreya (alt)

Laskar Dreya

Warriors

Truth

Dreamers

Braves

Dragons, Matrix

Wolf Warriors, Black Bears

Slingers

Heat

Eastern

Valientes

class=notpageimage|

Locations of former ABL teams.

Nation  | Team(s)  | Year(s)

|
|

From  | To
Brunei | Brunei Barracudas | 2009  | 2011
Hong Kong | Hong Kong Eastern | 2016  | 2023
Indonesia | CLS Knights Indonesia | 2017  | 2019
Indonesia Warriors | 2012  | 2014
Laskar Dreya South Sumatra | 2014
Louvre Surabaya | 2023
Satria Muda | 2009  | 2011
Macau | Macau Wolf Warriors | 2018  | 2020
Macau Black Bears | 2017  | 2023
Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur Dragons | 2009  | 2020
NS Matrix Deers | 2023
Philippines | AirAsia Philippine Patriots | 2009  | 2012
Pilipinas MX3 Kings | 2015  | 2016
San Miguel Alab Pilipinas | 2016  | 2020
San Miguel Beermen | 2012  | 2013
Zamboanga Valientes | 2023
Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)  | Formosa Dreamers | 2017  | 2020
Kaohsiung Truth | 2016  | 2017
Taipei Fubon Braves | 2019  | 2020
Singapore | Singapore Slingers | 2009  | 2023
Thailand | Thailand Tigers | 2009
Bangkok Cobras | 2012
Bangkok Tigers | 2023
Hi-Tech Bangkok City | 2010  | 2016
Mono Vampire | 2015  | 2020
Vietnam | Saigon Heat | 2012  | 2023

## Champions

[edit]

The finals is a best-of-5 (2–2–1) series (2010, 2013, 2016–2019) and is a best-of-3 (1–1–1) series (2011, 2012, 2014, 2023)

Season  | Finalists  | Semi-finalists

|
|

Champions  | Result  | Runners-up
2009–10 |  Philippine Patriots^  | 3–0  |  Satria Muda |  Kuala Lumpur Dragons |  Singapore Slingers
2010–11 |  Chang Thailand Slammers^  | 2–0  |  Philippine Patriots |  Singapore Slingers |  Westports KL Dragons
2012 |  Indonesia Warriors | 2–1  |  San Miguel Beermen^  |  Philippine Patriots |  Westports Malaysia Dragons
2013 |  San Miguel Beermen^  | 3–0  |  Indonesia Warriors |  Thailand Slammers |  Westports Malaysia Dragons
2014 |  Hi-Tech Bangkok City | 2–0  |  Westports Malaysia Dragons^  |  Saigon Heat |  Singapore Slingers
2015–16 |  Westports Malaysia Dragons^  | 3–2  |  Singapore Slingers |  Hi-Tech Bangkok City |  Saigon Heat
2016–17 |  Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions^ | 3–1  |  Singapore Slingers |  Alab Pilipinas |  Saigon Heat
2017–18 |  San Miguel Alab Pilipinas | 3–2  |  Mono Vampire |  Chong Son Kung Fu^ |  Hong Kong Eastern
2018–19 |  CLS Knights Indonesia | 3–2  |  Singapore Slingers |  Hong Kong Eastern |  Mono Vampire
2019–20 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia.
2020–21  | Not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia.
2021–22
2023 |  Hong Kong Eastern | 2–1  |  Saigon Heat^  |  NS Matrix Deers |  Singapore Slingers

* ^ finished regular season with the best win–loss record.

### Championship table by club

[edit]

This medal ranking is based on the club/team representation.

Team |  Gold |  Silver |  Bronze | Total

|
|
|
|

Hi-Tech Bangkok City | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4
Hong Kong Eastern | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4
Kuala Lumpur Dragons | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6
AirAsia Philippine Patriots | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3
Indonesia Warriors | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2
San Miguel Beermen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2
Alab Pilipinas | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2
CLS Knights Indonesia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1
Singapore Slingers | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7
Saigon Heat | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4
Mono Vampire | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
Satria Muda BritAma | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1
Macau Black Bears | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
NS Matrix Deers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
Total | 10 | 10 | 20 | 40

* Italic: teams from outside Southeast Asia

## Individual awards

[edit]

ABL presented five individual awards to players: the Local MVP, World Import MVP, ASEAN Heritage MVP, and the Defensive Player of the Year. The Coach of the Year award was given to the league's best head coach of the season.

Prior to the 2015–16 ABL season, there was only one MVP award for imports and was called the Best Import award. It was divided into two for World Imports (for players hailing from outside Southeast Asia and to the ASEAN Heritage Imports (for players from other Southeast Asian countries or players with at least one Southeast Asian parent). Also, the Defensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards were only awarded since the 2012 season.

### Most Valuable Players

[edit]

#### Locals

[edit]

| Season  | Player  | Nationality  | Team

|
|
|

2009–10 | Attaporn Lertmalaiporn[17] |  Thailand |  Thailand Tigers
2010–11 | Mario Wuysang[18] |  Indonesia |  Satria Muda
2012 | Leo Avenido[19] |  Philippines |  San Miguel Beermen
2013 | Asi Taulava[20] |  Philippines |  San Miguel Beermen
2014 | Wei Long Wong[21] |  Singapore |  Singapore Slingers
2015–16 | Wei Long Wong[22] |  Singapore |  Singapore Slingers
2016–17 | Bobby Ray Parks Jr.[23] |  Philippines |  Alab Pilipinas
2017–18 | Bobby Ray Parks Jr.[24] |  Philippines |  Alab Pilipinas
2018–19 | Bobby Ray Parks Jr. |  Philippines |  Alab Pilipinas

#### World Imports

[edit]

| Season  | Player  | Nationality  | Team

|
|
|

2009–10 | Jason Dixon[17] |  United States |  Philippine Patriots
2010–11 | Nakiea Miller[18] |  United States |  Westports KL Dragons
2012 | Anthony Johnson[25] |  United States |  AirAsia Philippine Patriots
2013 | Christien Charles |  United States |  Sports Rev Thailand Slammers
2014 | Christien Charles[26] |  United States |  Hi-Tech Bangkok City
2015–16 | Reggie Johnson |  United States |  Westports Malaysia Dragons
2016–17 | Marcus Elliott |  United States |  Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions
2017–18 | Anthony Tucker |  United States |  Chong Son Kung Fu
2018–19 | Xavier Alexander |  United States |  Singapore Slingers

#### Heritage Imports

[edit]

| Season  | Player  | Nationality  | Team

|
|
|

2015–16 | Matthew Wright |  Philippines |  Westports Malaysia Dragons
2016–17 | Tyler Lamb |  Thailand |  Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions
2017–18 | Mikh McKinney |  Philippines |  Chong Son Kung Fu

#### Finals

[edit]

| Season  | Player  | Nationality  | Team

|
|
|

2009–10 | Warren Ybañez |  Philippines |  Philippine Patriots
2010–11 | Attaporn Lertmalaiporn  |  Thailand |  Chang Thailand Slammers
2012 | Evan Brock  |  United States |  Indonesia Warriors
2013 | Chris Banchero |  Philippines |  San Miguel Beermen
2014 | Jerick Cañada  |  Philippines |  Hi-Tech Bangkok City
2015–16 | Jason Brickman |  Philippines |  Westports Malaysia Dragons
2016–17 | Marcus Elliott |  United States |  Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions
2017–18 | Bobby Ray Parks Jr. |  Philippines |  San Miguel Alab Pilipinas
2018–19 | Maxie Esho |  United States |  CLS Knights Indonesia
2023 | Tonny Trocha-Morelos |  Colombia |  Hong Kong Eastern

### Special awards

[edit]

#### Defensive Player of the Year

[edit]

| Season  | Player  | Nationality  | Team

|
|
|

2012 | Steven Thomas |  United States |  Indonesia Warriors
2013 | Chris Charles |  United States |  Sports Rev Thailand Slammers
2014 | Justin Williams |  United States |  Saigon Heat
2015–16 | Chris Charles |  United States |  Hi-Tech Bangkok City
2016–17 | Justin Howard |  United States |  Singapore Slingers
2017–18 | Renaldo Balkman |  Puerto Rico |  San Miguel Alab Pilipinas
Chris Charles |  United States |  Singapore Slingers
2018–19 | John Fields |  United States |  Singapore Slingers
2023 | Chris McLaughlin |  Canada |  Hong Kong Eastern

#### Coach of the Year

[edit]

| Season  | Coach  | Nationality  | Team

|
|
|

2012 | Todd Purves |  United States |  Indonesia Warriors
2013 | Leo Austria |  Philippines |  San Miguel Beermen
2014 | Ariel Vanguardia |  Philippines |  Westports Malaysia Dragons
2015–16 | Neo Beng Siang |  Singapore |  Singapore Slingers
2016–17 | Edu Torres |  Spain |  Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions
2017–18 | Charles Dubé-Brais |  Canada |  Chong Son Kung Fu
2018–19 | Dean Murray |  United States |  Formosa Dreamers
2023 | Željko Pavličević |  Croatia |  Hong Kong Eastern

## See also

[edit]

* ABL 3x3 International Champions Cup
* East Asia Super League
* West Asia Super League
* FIBA Asia Champions Cup
* AsiaBasket

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Brunei Barracudas Bow Out of ABL Season 3". ABL. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
2. ^ "Saigon Heat enter ABL 2016–17 season". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
3. ^ "Major setback for ABL as champions San Miguel Beermen on the way out". Spin.ph. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
4. ^ Taiwan's Kaohsiung Truth Joins ABL as League Expands
5. ^ "Hong Kong Eastern Confirms Participation In ABL". Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
6. ^ "New Philippine Team Set to Join ABL". ABL. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
7. ^ Lee, David (25 September 2017). "Nine teams for new ABL season". New Straits Times. TNP. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
8. ^ "Chong Son Kung Fu Relocates and Rebrands to Macau Black Bears | ABL". ABL. 9 August 2018. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
9. ^ "ASEAN Basketball League adds historic 10th team with the Zhuhai Wolf Warriors | ABL". ABL. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
10. ^ "The Fubon Braves To Join ABL's Tenth Season". ABL. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
11. ^ "Singapore Slingers co-owner Wee Siew Kim says ABL 'is here to stay'". The Straits Times. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
12. ^ Panerio, Jonas (20 January 2022). "Davao Occidental Tigers' cagers to play in ASEAN Basketball League". Sunstar. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
13. ^ Lee, David (24 March 2022). "Basketball: ABL to return with Bali 3x3 event in April, 5v5 season set to restart later". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
14. ^ "ASEAN Basketball League announces return". ABS-CBN News. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
15. ^ "Singapore Slingers 'stop playing' amid uncertainty around ASEAN Basketball League's future". CNA. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
16. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT". Singapore Slingers. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
17. ^ a b Tan, Les (20 July 2010). "Attaporn MVP win highlight of losing ABL season for Thailand Tigers". Red Sports. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
18. ^ a b "Mario Wuysang MVP Sesi Reguler ABL" [Mario Wuysang is ABL Regular Season MVP]. Republika. 5 March 2011.
19. ^ Belen, Reynaldo (28 June 2012). "Beermen's Avenido is ABL Local MVP". InterAksyon. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
20. ^ "San Miguel's Taulava named ABL MVP". ABS-CBNnews.com. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
21. ^ "Slingers' Wong Wei Long Wins 2014 ABL Local MVP". Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
22. ^ "Basketball: Slingers' Wong Wei Long named ABL Local MVP". Archived from the original on 8 March 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
23. ^ "Long Lions Take Home Three Awards, Parks Named ABL Local MVP". Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
24. ^ "Tucker, McKinney, Parks, headline ABL awardees | ABL". Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
25. ^ "AirAsia Philippine Patriots' Anthony Johnson Scoops Up ABL's Best Import Award 2012". Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
26. ^ "Bangkok City's Chris Charles Wins Second Consecutive ABL Import MVP Award". Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.

* v
* t
* e

ASEAN Basketball League

Teams|

* Bangkok Cobras
* Brunei Barracudas
* CLS Knights Indonesia
* Bangkok Tigers
* Formosa Dreamers
* Hi-Tech Bangkok City
* Hong Kong Eastern
* Indonesia Warriors
* Kaohsiung Truth
* Kuala Lumpur Dragons
* Laskar Dreya South Sumatra
* Louvre Surabaya
* Macau Wolf Warriors
* Macau Black Bears
* Mono Vampire
* NS Matrix Deers
* Philippine Patriots
* Pilipinas MX3 Kings
* San Miguel Alab Pilipinas
* San Miguel Beermen
* Saigon Heat
* Satria Muda BritAma
* Singapore Slingers
* Taipei Fubon Braves
* Thailand Tigers
* Zamboanga Valientes

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Playoffs|

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Finals|

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Oceania|

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International
tournaments|

| Africa|

* Basketball Africa League
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|

Americas|

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Asia|

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|

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