BANGKOK (Thailand) - Al-Riyadi knows by firsthand experience how different situations can change over the span of a year. After celebrating a FIBA Asia Champions Cup title in 2017 to avoiding last place in 2018, can the Lebanese champions bounce back to glory once again in this year’s edition of the competition?

This upcoming FIBA Asia Champions Cup will be Riyadi’s 4th straight participation in a run that has seemed to go through all the highs and lows that a team is capable of. Back in 2016, Riyadi went all the way to the championship game, only to be thwarted by hosts China Kashgar to end up with the dreaded runners-up title.

A vengeful redemption tour in 2017 saw Riyadi win all of their games by double-digits for an average point differential of 37.4 points per game. In a run of pure domination, they claimed their second Asia Champions Cup crown by exacting their revenge on China Kashgar in an 88-59 win.

The team was on a high in 2017 with Wael Arakji continuing to breakout as a star along with the performances of Ali Haidar, Amir Saoud, and Jean Abd El Nour. When Riyadi qualified once again for the 2018 version, they were easily pegged as heavy favorites to win it all.

The results in 2018 were far from what themselves – and everyone else – had expected.

Without star guard Arakji who was hampered with a knee injury, Riyadi dropped their opening against Alvark Tokyo and had to go to overtime to take down Mono Vampire Basketball Club. They were still favorable to make it to the Semi-Finals, the only thing in their way was to not lose by as much as 11 points against the Meralco Bolts.

A woeful second quarter left Riyadi scrambling as they suffered to a 30-point loss that diminished their chances of defending the title. Adding salt to the wound, Riyadi lost to Pauian Archiland in the following game to end up playing to avoid 8^th place.

They were able to salvage a 102-75 win with Saoud scoring 50 points, but the fall from champion to 7^th place in just a one-year span was painful to watch. Surely it was also painful to experience.

They are hoping that this year will be much, much better.

Riyadi finished the regular season in the past season of the Alfa Lebanese Basketball League with a 28-12 record. Even as the 4^th seed in the playoffs, the eventual champions overcame the odds to take down league leaders Champville before beating Beirut 4-2 in the Finals.

Arakji is healthy once again and paced for a solid 12.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Riyadi will be more than looking forward to see him shine in the Champions Cup once again, with the support of Saoud, Ab Del Nour, and Bassel Bawji.

Will the former champions bounce back at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019?

FIBA