The Bay Area Dragons will be the first foreign team to play in the PBA in 18 years, the last time being in the PBA’s 2004 Fiesta Conference (UBC Thunderbirds, U.S. Pro-Am Selection).

Also, the Gilas Pilipinas squad, captained by naturalized player Marcus Douthit and coached by Rajko Toroman, was the last visitor team to compete in the PBA in 2011.

Despite Alaska Aces being transferred to new ownership or disbanded through a dispersal draft in the next months, the Dragons will join the PBA in 2022 who were requested to alter their name to avoid confusion with the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

The Dragons will be made up of free agents from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Chinese Taipei, who will be supplemented by two imports throughout their PBA and EASL stay.

The 47th season will possibly commence during the Governor’s Cup simultaneously with the holding of the 2022 East Asia Super League.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial stated that the Hong Kong team’s participation is already secured, regardless of whether the league would have 11 or 12 teams by late 2022, depending on if Alaska is sold to another company.

The EASL will debut in October with eight clubs from the PBA, Korean Basketball League, Japan B League, Chinese-Taipei P.League+, and the Bay Area Dragons.