Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The ASEAN Basketball League is taking steps to accommodate a larger league with the increased interest from many potential new teams from across the region.
With the league coming off a successful second season where the Chang Thailand Slammers capped off a fairytale run by emerging champions, and FIBA Asia officially announcing that the ABL Champions would represent ASEAN in the annual FIBA Asia Champions Cup, which pits the best professional clubs in Asia against each other to find the best club side in the region.
The ABL is also now seeking to increase the number of teams in the league with interests from clubs in Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia.
In view of the anticipated longer season, the ABL will now start the league on its new start date of January every year with a longer season that will see the inclusion of an All Star Weekend. The new schedule will also ensure a smoother buildup towards the FIBA Asia Champions Cup as the ABL Champion can then head straight into the tournament with a buildup base on high competition that will create a seamless synergy and chemistry between the players.
The first game of the new season will tip off on January 14th, 2012. The final schedule will be announced soon.
