Kupšas Debuts as Flying Eagles Face Man King
On.cc · 1 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
Chung Tak Flying Eagles enter the new First Division campaign with major changes on and off the court, including a new head coach and the arrival of Lithuanian centre Mindaugas Kupšas. The 2.17-metre big man, previously named T1 League Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, is due to make his Hong Kong top-flight debut on Thursday, September 10 at Southorn Stadium against Man King. The matchup is drawing attention because Man King field a twin-tower frontline led by Duncan Reid (惠龍兒) and resident import Corvey Irvin, setting up a direct battle in the paint. Man King won their opening league game 77-58 over Hon Friends Fukien, but only pulled away with a 22-8 fourth quarter after leading by four at halftime.
Key Points
- Flying Eagles were coached by American Jamal Boykin in the Silver Cup, but for the league season they switched to Montenegrin coach Ivan Ivanović.
- The club then added Mindaugas Kupšas, a 2.17-metre Lithuanian centre who won 2024 T1 League Defensive Player of the Year honours.
- Kupšas also previously won a T1 championship, the blocks title and selection to the league’s All-Defensive First Team.
- Man King’s resident import is 35-year-old, 2.11-metre American centre Corvey Irvin, who anchors the reigning Silver Cup champions’ frontcourt.
- Duncan Reid said a calf injury disrupted preseason plans, he only returned to training on Monday, September 7, and feels 60 to 70 per cent fit.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong basketball followers, the game offers an early test of whether Flying Eagles’ rebuild can immediately challenge one of the league’s established contenders. It also puts the spotlight on interior play in the local league, with Kupšas’ debut and Reid’s recovery likely to shape how competitive both teams look in the opening phase of the season.