Al Riyadi is coming as the reigning champion, aiming to maintain the victory he has achieved so far this 2024-25 season, which saw a successful title defense in the recent FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL).
The Lebanese powerhouse has the cast of nine teams flagged, with Shabaab Al Ali, the 2024 BCL Asia runner-up, being the host of the continent’s highest club competition for the second year in a row.
The mix also includes Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos.
FIBA WASL RAMENS-UP TABIAT basketball, China’s Basketball Association champion Zhejiang Guangsha Lions and Korean basketball league titleist Changwon LG Sakers are also part of the field.
Newly crafted Japanese B.League champions Utsunomiya Brex and The Meralco Bolts are the defending Philippine Cup champions of the Philippine Basketball Association, completing this year’s BCL Asia photo.
The nine teams are divided into three groups, with the top eight teams competing in the quarterfinals. Pairing is determined through a draw that takes place after the final group phase game.
Tabiat is portrayed in Group A along with Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos and Zhejiang Guangsha Lions.
The four quarterfinal winners will compete in the semi-finals. The semi-final winner will then advance to the first game final, while the losers will compete in the third place game.
By the end of the week’s tournament, the champions will win the right to represent Asia at the FIBA InterContinental Cup 2025 in Singapore, FIBA’s most famous club competition.
Basketball Champions League Asia 2025 will be set in Dubai from 7th to 13th June. The group phase takes place at Sheikh Saidbin Maktoum Sports Hall, where Coca-Cola Arena can play the host in the final stages.
MNA