The 2023 ABL Invitational was an invitational tournament held by the ASEAN Basketball League. The elimination round tipped off on 2 January in Singapore, before moving to 3 other host countries. The tournament ended with the finals played from 3 to 15 March. The 2023 Invitational featured eight teams from the region.
Intended to signify the return of the ABL, it ended up being the last tournament the league held before FIBA dropped support for the league, leaving its future uncertain.
Teams Changes from 2019–20 season
New teams: Bangkok Tigers Louvre Surabaya NS Matrix Deers Zamboanga Valientes
Did not participate: Alab Pilipinas Formosa Dreamers Kuala Lumpur Dragons Macau Wolf Warriors Mono Vampire Taipei Fubon Braves
Personnel Team Head coach Bangkok Tigers Jakkraphan Chupthaisong Hong Kong Eastern Željko Pavličević Louvre Surabaya Jomar Tierra Macau Black Bears Charles Dubé-Brais NS Matrix Deers Jeff Viernes Saigon Heat Matthew Van Pelt Singapore Slingers Neo Beng Siang Zamboanga Valientes Expedito De Los Santos
Imports All teams can register a maximum of 3 foreigners and 1 heritage player. The salary cap for the foreign players is set at US$ 20,000 per month.
Team Import 1 Import 2 Import 3 Heritage player Former imports Bangkok Tigers William Vedder Freeman Augustus Stone Jose Nouchanthavong Arizona Reid Jermale Jones Lloyd Burgess Alexander Osmand Smith Hong Kong Eastern O'Darien Bassett Chris McLaughlin Tonny Trocha-Morelos Dominic Gilbert Louvre Surabaya Marcus Hammonds Alioune Tew Jamarr Johnson Ebrahim Enguio Lopez Sameen Swint Macau Black Bears Isaiah Wade D'Angelo Hamilton Dequan Abrom Winston Shepard NS Matrix Deers Amir Williams Tevin Glass Isaiah Williams Wong Zhong Han Henry Iloka Saigon Heat Jeremy Combs Evan Gilyard Jairus Holder Hassan Thomas Singapore Slingers Xavier Alexander CJ Gettys Kentrell Barkley Zamboanga Valientes Mohamed Sesay Mario Chalmers Renaldo Balkman Jeremy Arthur Will Deng Ryan Smith Antonio Hester
Elimination round The invitational tournament had a new format compared to previous seasons. There will be four rolling tournaments before the lead up to best-of-three semi-finals and finals. At the end of the four tournaments, each team would have played one another twice, and a total of 14 matches. The top four teams would advance to the semi-finals. The second leg will be in Batam, Indonesia, third leg in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the fourth leg in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The semi final and final will be held also in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Tournaments LegVenueDate Location Arena Capacity1 Kallang, Singapore OCBC Arena 3,000 2–8 January2 Batam, Indonesia Hi-Test Arena 1,200 12–18 January3 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia MABA Stadium 2,500 3–8 February4 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Nguyễn Du Indoor Stadium 2,100 12–17 February Playoffs and final 6–14 March
Standings
Results
Bracket
Semi-finals The semi-final is a best-of-three series with game 3 being played if necessary.
(1) Saigon Heat vs. (4) Singapore Slingers
(2) Hong Kong Eastern vs. (3) NS Matrix Deers
Final: (1) Saigon Heat vs. (2) Hong Kong Eastern The final is a best-of-three series with game 3 being played if necessary.
Awards
Finals awards 2023 ABL ChampionsHong Kong Eastern (2nd title) Finals MVPTonny Trocha-Morelos
End-of-tournament awards The winners were announced after Game 3 of the 2023 ABL Finals at the Nguyễn Du Indoor Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Defensive Player of the Year: Chris McLaughlin (Hong Kong Eastern) Coach of the Year: Željko Pavličević (Hong Kong Eastern)
Statistical leaders Individual leaders Category Player Club AveragePoints Kentrell Barkley Singapore Slingers 26.00Rebounds Alioune Tew Louvre Surabaya 19.00Assists Xavier Alexander Singapore Slingers 6.60Steals Mario Chalmers Zamboanga Valientes 2.40Blocks Amir Williams NS Matrix Deers 1.90
References
External links Official website