FILE–Former SanEn NeoPhoenix player Thirdy Ravena is among the trail blazers of the Asian Special quota in the Japabn B.League.–Photo from B.League
MANILA, Philippines—The Japan B.League is expanding its horizons with a new rule on Asian players’ special quota.
In a statement released by the league on Wednesday, the B.League said it has “decided to expand the Asia special quota for the 2024-25 season.”
The new rule means that players from countries like Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia and Malaysia, to name a few, can now be signed in a B.League team, giving more opportunities to aspiring Asian swingmen.
READ: Thirdy Ravena happy to see Filipinos thrive in B.League
“The Japan Professional Basketball League is pleased to announce that it has decided to expand the Asia special quota for the 2024-25 season. The new quota includes Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and India,” the statement read.
“Together with the existing quota for China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines, the Asia special Quota will apply to players with nationalities from a total of 13 countries and regions.”
Several Filipino players have been beneficiaries of the B.League’s Asian quota rule.
READ: Thirdy Ravena, San-En win breakthrough B.League conference title
Established in the 2021 season, the B.League opened doors for Filipino imports such as Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu and Kai Sotto, who are still actively in the league.
“This [Asian quota] is a system established from the 2020-21 season for the purpose of improving players’ competitive abilities to global standards and expanding the B. LEAGUE’s market in Asia.”
The rule states that other than three foreign players, either naturalized players or Asian special quota players can also join, not adding up the three-import count.
In the B.League’s last season, the Asian quota covered just five countries in China, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines.
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The Hiroshima Dragonflies won the title after defeating the Ryukyu Golden Kings. Both teams had Filipino players Sotto and Carl Tamayo.