Taiwan's Clubs Hand Japan a Tough Opening Night in the EASL

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The new East Asia Super League season began with a bang in Taipei, where both Taiwanese teams on the card took care of business. The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and the Taipei Fubon Braves each beat Japanese opposition at the Heping Basketball Gymnasium, setting an early tone for 2025–26 and giving the home fans plenty to cheer about.

The Pilots, last year’s runners-up, eased past the Ryukyu Golden Kings 94–80. This victory wasn’t just celebrated in Taiwan but also in places like Australia, which has a sizable expat community. Online sports betting on niche leagues has grown enormously in recent years. As far off as Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, betting on Asian basketball has increased dramatically in recent years.

For example, despite the Pilots entering as slight underdogs, many popular Australian bookies priced them around 34/25. For Taiwanese fans living Down Under, this meant plenty of reasons to back their squad. These platforms often offer highly competitive odds, rapid payouts, and attractive bonuses, giving niche leagues like these much-needed engagement and attention all over the world.

For those who did tune in, it was a great game to catch. That’s because it didn’t look like a romp at halftime; Taoyuan led by only four. The real separation came after the break, when the Pilots strung together stops and clean possessions and won the third quarter 27–15. That burst took the air out of Ryukyu and turned a tight game into a comfortable one.

The team’s inspirational Captain Chun-Hsiang Lu carried much of the scoring load with 24, and Setric Millner Jr. added 20 in support. Four Pilots reached double figures, proof of the ball movement. William Artino anchored the middle with 11 and 12 plus all-action defense, while Victor Law’s 29 couldn’t offset Ryukyu’s lack of a steady No. 2, and the Kings opened 0–1.

The nightcap was wild. The Braves edged the Utsonomiya Brex 109–107 in overtime, the sort of game that swings on one or two plays. Taipei needed a clutch bucket in the final seconds of regulation just to reach the extra period. Once there, Kuei-Yu Chou buried a late three that nudged the Braves in front for good.

Archie Goodwin III was the difference. He put up 43 points with 12 boards and six assists, and his energy never dipped. He attacked the rim, hit timely jumpers, and found teammates when help came. Add three steals to that line and you have a complete night from a player who set the pace from the opening tip. Utsonomiya’s DJ Newbill answered with 32 and kept the Brex in it, but they came away a possession short.

In Tokyo, where basketball is almost as popular as football, Alvark Tokyo added to Japan’s rough midweek: Mongolia’s Xac Broncos beat Alvark Tokyo 84–69 at Keio Arena. A tight first half flipped after the break as the Broncos’ guards settled and the defense choked Alvark’s sets. Omoefay Johnson posted 25 and 11 with hustle plays all over; Ian Miller added 22. Marcus Foster had 20 and seven for Alvark, but the Broncos owned the finish.

After night one, Taiwan owns the headlines while Japan must regroup. The Pilots looked organized and deep; the Braves proved they could close. Early read: Taiwan’s clubs aren’t just hot starters, they’re real contenders.