MANILA, Philippines –  As the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) nears its historic 50th season, Mensur Bajramovic, head coach of Eastern Sports Club, has indicated a strong desire to rejoin the league. The seasoned Bosnian strategist appeared on Sunday, May 19, at the Philsports Arena during Meralco vs. NLEX’s PBA Philippine Cup game. Speculation over Eastern’s potential return as a guest team for the following PBA season was rekindled by his appearance.

On a personal visit to Manila, Bajramovic, who captained Eastern during their earlier Commissioner’s Cup guest spell, was present. He arrived to assist Nenad Vucinic, the Meralco Bolts’ active consultant and longtime coaching comrade. Bajramovic’s appearance at the courtside was noticed by onlookers, which led to conversations about Eastern’s possible participation in the league’s illustrious season.

Eastern, a Hong Kong-based club, last participated in the Commissioner’s Cup in the middle of the season as a guest team in the PBA. A great start underlined their participation. Even early in the tournament, they were at the top of the standings. Key members of the now-defunct Bay Area Dragons, such as Glen Yang, Kobe Lam, and Hayden Blankley, made up its roster. With the addition of international depth from reinforcements Cameron Clark and Chris McLaughlin, Eastern had a very competitive team.

The team’s performance deteriorated in the latter stages of the conference, despite the encouraging start. Their campaign’s decline was mostly caused by schedule issues with their East Asia Super League (EASL) and Hong Kong Basketball League commitments. The team’s chemistry and player availability suffered as a result of these conflicting schedules. By the completion of the elimination round, Eastern had fallen to the seventh seed.

The second-seeded TNT Tropang Giga was their opponent in the quarterfinals. The higher-seeded team had a twice-to-beat advantage under PBA regulations. To move forward, Eastern has to defeat TNT twice. However, they were eliminated with a final score of 109-93 after losing the series’ opening game. Despite the early elimination, Eastern’s fierce attitude and professional demeanor throughout the tournament won them the admiration of local fans and observers.

Eastern’s involvement in the PBA was initially intended to last two seasons, Bajramovic subsequently disclosed. It was believed that their participation in the Commissioner’s Cup served as a tryout for upcoming events. However, Eastern’s top management will have to decide whether the club returns. According to reports, the squad is still evaluating its schedule, budget, and competitive priorities among various Asian leagues.

Opening on October 5, 2025, the PBA’s 50th season is expected to mark a significant turning point in Philippine sports. A number of commemorative events, including special exhibition matches involving international teams, are being planned by league authorities. The league is also looking at possible games against teams from the B.League in Japan, which is a major regional adversary in the expanding Asian basketball scene. In this case, Eastern’s comeback would elevate the festivities and give them a more global feel.

Eastern’s first stint in the PBA was well received, especially by supporters who valued the team’s methodical approach to play. Since many Filipino fans still remember the Bay Area Dragons’ outstanding runner-up finish in the 2022–2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the involvement of Dragons alumni heightened interest even further. The prospect of Eastern returning to the league creates a new dimension for the 2019 season, as there are currently no foreign guest clubs in the Governors’ Cup or Philippine Cup.

Coaching in the Philippines was a special and rewarding experience for Bajramovic. The PBA’s fierce competition and the fervor of Filipino basketball fans left a lasting mark. Even though he is now concentrating on his responsibilities in Hong Kong, he is excited about the possibility of leading Eastern in the PBA again, particularly since the league’s 50th season would mark a significant milestone.

Talks with possible guest teams are anticipated to continue as the league gets ready for its grand anniversary. Eastern is still being considered by the PBA as a potential future participant, despite the fact that no formal commitment has been made. The PBA’s expanding ties with foreign clubs looking to get recognition in the fiercely competitive Philippine basketball scene would enter a new phase if they were to return.