Taoyuan Pauian Pilots Advance to EASL Championship Game After Dominant Win Over Alvark Tokyo

Macau, March 21, 2026 – The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of Taiwan’s P.LEAGUE+ have secured their second consecutive berth in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Championship Game, defeating Alvark Tokyo 102-76 in a decisive playoff matchup held in Macau on Friday. This victory follows a previous win against the Seoul SK Knights on Wednesday, solidifying the Pilots’ position as a formidable force in the regional competition.

Artino Leads Pilots to Victory

William Artino led the Pilots with a game-high 26 points, achieving a double-double performance that underscored his impact on the game. Artino, who joined the team in the 2025 offseason, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress. “We’re right where we want to be,” he said. “It means a lot. I joined this team, and I want to help them get back to their goal.”

Dominant Performance Inside the Paint

The Pilots demonstrated significant dominance close to the basket, outscoring Alvark Tokyo 70-18 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 62-33. Despite Alvark Tokyo’s strong start, with 13 three-pointers and a 56.5% shooting percentage from beyond the arc in the first half, the Pilots managed to narrow the gap to 54-50 by halftime.

After the break, Taoyuan significantly tightened its defense, limiting Tokyo to just 11 points in both the third and fourth quarters and holding them to a mere 2-17 shooting performance from long range. The Pilots capitalized on this defensive shift, outscoring their opponents 52-22 in the second half.

Looking Ahead to the Championship Game

Pilots head coach Iurgi Caminos emphasized the team’s determination. “We didn’t seize a flight to Macau to play a final. We took a flight (here) to win the final, and on Sunday we have another chance,” he stated, referencing the team’s 72-68 loss to the Hiroshima Dragonflies in last season’s EASL final.

On Sunday, the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots will face the Utsunomiya Brex, the reigning champions of Japan’s B.League, for the EASL championship. The winning team will receive a prize of US$1.5 million, while the runner-up will receive US$750,000.

About the East Asia Super League

The East Asia Super League (EASL) is an international 12-team competition featuring the top club teams from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Macau, Hong Kong, and Mongolia. Now in its third season, the EASL operates independently of domestic leagues, mirroring the structure of a Champions League for East Asian basketball.