Homenetmen vs Al Riyadi (Game 7 of the LBL Final) - photo credit Sportscode
17/05/2018
Enzo Flojo's Asia On My Mind
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Surprises continue to abound in the Asian professional basketball scene

MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on My Mind) - What I have loved about the professional basketball scene in Asia this year is how many teams sprung surprises to win their respective league titles.

In every league, of course, there are traditional favorites and defending champions, but at least for this year, many who've lifted the top prizes were teams that, in one way or another, did so from out of left field. Let's see who they are.

Homenetmen win LBL 2018


The Lebanese Basketball League (LBL) has long been ruled by the two clubs - Sagesse and Al Riyadi - but this time around, it was Homenetmen Beirut BC that rose to the top and claimed their first LBL title in team history. In a tense seven-game championship series that went the full distance, Homenetmen prevailed in the final game, 74-59. Foreign players Sam Young, Walter Hodge, Ahmad Ismail (naturalized Egyptian) and Makram Ben Romdhane led the way for Homenetmen as they snapped Al Riyadi's four-year stranglehold on the LBL throne while also avenging their Finals defeat to the same team last year.

Al Nift Oil Club win IBL 2018


Al Shurtah have long been the powerhouse team in Iraqi basketball, but since last year, it has been Al Nift running the show. The Baghdad-based club team continued their dominance this season, finishing atop the Iraq Basketball League's (IBL) first division with a 23-win, 3-loss slate. They reached 5-game Finals series against Al Shurtah and prevailed in four matches, clinching the title, 77-73, in Game 4. Among Al Nift's stalwarts are national team mainstays DeMario Mayfield, Qutaiba Al-Doori and Ali Hamad.

Pauian Archiland win SBL 2018


After being dethroned in 2016 and failing to even return to the Finals in 2017, Pauian Archiland returned to the top of Chinese Taipei's Super Basketball League (SBL) this year. Led by national team members Quincy Davis, Doug Creighton and Lin Ching-Pang, Pauian beat the Fubon Braves in Game 6 of the SBL Finals, 78-73, to pocket the club's fifth SBL title. By virtue of their golden triumph, Pauian Archiland have opened the door to possibly represent Chinese Taipei once again in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018.

Seoul SK Knights win KBL 2018


The last time the SK Knights won the KBL title was at the end of the 20th century, when they were still based in Cheongju city. They finally broke that 18-year spell this season when they met defending champions Wonju Dongbu Promy in the KBL 2018 Finals and won after six games. Wonju actually won games 1 and 2 of the Finals series before the Knights rattled off four straight victories to annex the crown. Foreign player Terrico White shone in the title-clinching fixture with 22 points and was named the KBL 2018 Finals MVP. Also impressive were national team players Choi JoonYoung and Kim SunHyung, who combined for 22 points in Game 6. Just like Pauian, the doors have opened for the SK Knights to possibly take Korea's colors to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018.

Liaoning Flying Leopards win CBA 2018


We also saw last month how history was made in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) as the Liaoning Flying Leopards brought home their first title after losing in the Finals in their six previous tries. The Flying Leopards were led by foreign players Lester Hudson and Brandon Bass along with national team superstars Guo Ailun and Han Dejun in the last game, where they beat the Zhejiang Lions, 100-88. Many CBA fans feel this title run is a tipping point in the league's history and will signal the start of a new dynasty for powerhouse Liaoning, who, like Pauian and the SK Knights, may just represent their country in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018.

Satria Muda Pertamina Jakarta win IBL 2018


Satria Muda have long been synonymous with success in Indonesian basketball, but since their top tier league rebranded from the NBL to the new IBL in 2016, Satria Muda have met nothing but frustration. All that changed this season as they topped their division with a 15-2 win-loss record and faced fellow powerhouse squad Pelita Jaya Energi Mega Persada in the best-of-three Finals. Satria Muda won Game 1, lost Game 2, and finally survived their foes in Game 3 to book their first ever IBL title. Foreign players Dior Lowhorn and Jamarr Johnson led the way for Satria Muda along with national team members Hardianus Lakudu and Arki Wisnu.

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas win ABL 2018


Over in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), Filipino club team San Miguel Alab Pilipinas returned the ABL diadem to the Philippines after defeating Mono Vampire Thailand in five exciting Finals matches. Former Gilas Pilipinas wingman Ray Parks, Jr. starred for the team and was named Finals MVP as well as Local MVP of the 2018-2019 season. Alab Pilipinas big man Renaldo Balkman was also feted as Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Singapore's Chris Charles. This is Alab's first ABL title after they finished third overall in 2017-2018.

Enzo Flojo

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Enzo Flojo

Enzo Flojo

Enzo Flojo, one of Manila’s top basketball bloggers, always has Asian basketball on his mind. His biggest basketball dream? To see an Asian team as a legitimate gold medal contender in world basketball. He believes it will happen in his lifetime. If you have big basketball dreams like he does, then you’re in the right place.