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Abra Weavers make history as first MPBL team in East Asia Super League

  • Writer: Lorraine Bacullo
    Lorraine Bacullo
  • 1 hour ago
  • 2 min read
SPORTS

BANGUED, Abra — From representing a province in the Cordillera to taking on some of Asia’s best professional basketball clubs, the Abra Solid North Weavers are taking Philippine provincial basketball to a bigger stage.


The reigning Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) champions have been selected as the first-ever MPBL team to compete in the East Asia Super League (EASL), joining the regional competition for the 2026–27 season.


The historic opportunity follows a new partnership between the MPBL and EASL, giving the Philippine league its first formal link with the regional basketball organization and allowing its champion to compete against professional clubs from some of Asia’s leading basketball markets.


From newcomers to Asian contenders


The Weavers’ rise has been remarkably quick.


Abra joined the MPBL in 2024 and established itself as one of the league’s elite teams before capturing the championship in only its second season. That rapid ascent has now earned the team an opportunity to test itself against established professional clubs across East Asia.


The EASL features top professional teams from basketball markets including Japan’s B.LEAGUE, South Korea’s KBL, Taiwan’s P. LEAGUE+, and Macau. The competition provides participating teams with an opportunity to play against some of the region’s strongest clubs.


Abra will also be among several teams making their EASL debut in the 2026–27 season, alongside Nagasaki Velca of Japan, Goyang Sono Skygunners of South Korea, Macau Hou Chon, and TSG GhostHawks of Taiwan.


EASL CEO Henry Kerins welcomed the Weavers, describing Abra as one of the Philippines’ strongest clubs and saying the MPBL partnership further strengthens EASL’s presence in the country.


A bigger stage for Abra


The Abra Weavers are based in Bangued, Abra, and compete in the MPBL.

Since entering the league in 2024, the team has quickly become a source of pride for the province, culminating in its MPBL championship in its second season.


Now, the Weavers will carry not only the Abra name but also the MPBL banner into an international competition.


MPBL founder and chairman Manny Pacquiao described the development as a proud moment for the league, saying the Weavers have shown what can happen when a team represents its community with ambition, discipline, and pride.


MPBL CEO Joe Ramos likewise called the team’s participation in EASL an important milestone, saying the league aims to provide its clubs and players with opportunities to compete at the highest possible level.


More than basketball


For the Weavers, the EASL opportunity gives Abra players a chance to measure their skills against established clubs from across East Asia while exposing them to a faster and more competitive level of professional basketball.


For the Cordillera, meanwhile, the Weavers’ international debut puts the region’s basketball talent under a wider spotlight.


The team’s journey—from joining the MPBL in 2024, winning the league championship in its second season, and now earning a place in the EASL—shows how quickly a provincial team can rise when talent, organization, community support, and ambition come together.

From Bangued to the Asian basketball stage, the Abra Solid North Weavers now have a bigger court to conquer.


And this time, they will be playing not just for Abra, but for Philippine basketball on the Asian stage.

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