South China complete fairytale run to dethrone Taoyuan and claim BCL Asia-East crown

South China Athletic Association completed the most improbable championship run in BCL Asia-East history on Sunday, overwhelming Taoyuan Pauian Pilots 113-103 in the Final at Arena Larkin Indoor Stadium to become the first Hong Kong team to win the continental qualifier and secure a historic berth in the BCL Asia 2026.
From winning just twice in their first six HKA1 regular-season games to lifting the trophy in Johor the transformation defies logic. Coach Lo Yi Ting's side flipped a switch upon arriving in Malaysia for the Final 6, winning both group-phase games, dethroning defending champions Chinggis Broncos in the semifinals, and then dismantling the previously unbeaten Pilots who had started 7-0 before South China became the first team to beat them on Thursday.
The familiarity from that group-phase meeting proved crucial in the rematch. South China seized control early and pulled away decisively in the third quarter, building a lead so comfortable that the fourth period became a coronation for Hong Kong basketball.
Davenport Kyvon (203-F-1997, college: Memphis, agency: BIG) was magnificent with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Yang Glen (193-G-1996, college: Mount Royal, agency: Slash Sports) poured in 24 with six assists. Briscoe Isaiah (190-PG-1996, college: Kentucky) added 19 as the three-pronged attack proved far too much for a Taoyuan side left to rue another near-miss the Pilots also finished as runners-up in 2025 after falling to the Broncos in Mongolia.
"From now on, every game we win, it will be history for SCAA and for Hong Kong basketball," Lo had said after the semifinal. His team delivered on that promise in emphatic fashion.
For Taoyuan, coach Iurgi Caminos' squad secured their second consecutive BCL Asia berth but were denied the title for the second straight year. The Pilots' journey which included a stunning 100-86 semifinal comeback against Dewa United from 10 points down ends with silver and questions about what might have been.
In the third-place game earlier Sunday, the Chinggis Broncos salvaged a podium finish with an 84-66 rout of Dewa United Banten. Young Mongolian star Azbayar Altangerel (202-F-2005) was perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line for 15 points with eight rebounds, two steals, and three blocks without a single turnover. Ikhbayar Chuluunbaatar (194-F-2000) shot 4-of-5 from deep for 14, and Binderiyaa Sandagdorj (200-F-2004) added 10 as 11 Broncos players scored at least two.
"We needed this medal, that's why we are happy," coach Ariunbold Erdene said. "Before the game, all of the players and the coaches spoke and we all wanted to finish with our best. We did."
For Dewa United, Patrick Nikolas (187-PF-1998) led with 14 and Troy Gillenwater (205-F-1988, college: NM State) had 10, but Indonesia's wait for a return to the BCL Asia last represented by Pelita Jaya in 2024 in Dubai continues.