JOHOR BAHRU (Malaysia) - Dewa United Banten handed the Chinggis Broncos their worst loss of the season through a 95-53 beatdown in a rousing start to their BCL Asia-East 2026 Final 6 campaign, Wednesday.
The Indonesian Basketball League outfit leapt to a 31-17 lead just before the opening period ended, and that marked the beginning of an affair so lopsided as they broke away for good in the ensuing frame.
Coach Agustin Julbe's charges went on a 29-9 tear in the second chapter to erect a 60-28 lead at the half, turning what was expected to be a playoff-like battle to a snoozefest inside the Arena Larkin Indoor Stadium.
So flat were the defending champions that they only breached the 30-point mark approaching the last five minutes of the third canto as Dewa United totally had their way and hardly faced any kind of resistance.
With the dominant win, one of the league's newcomers have put themselves in a good position to clinch the no. 1 seed in Group A, which they could accomplish by taking care of business against Johor tomorrow.
The Broncos, on other hand, will surely be hoping for that to happen to keep their Semi-Finals aspirations alive, for a victory by the Southern Tigers - and via big margin - may hurt their chances of going back-to-back.
"We are newcomers but we are also a team that's built with new pieces, but started with a champion team. This gives us something to build around to be able to contend for this championship," said the Spanish mentor.
"And at the same time, the Broncos are a team that has always been playing and winning this type of competition, but every season is a bit different," he furthered. "I felt that we were ready to do our job to win this game."
Troy Gillenwater led Dewa United with 23 points on 62-percent shooting.
Joshua Ibarra submitted a full line of 17 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. DJ Cooper came through with 15 points and 14 assists to continue his streak of finishing in double figures in dimes.
Dio Saputra made 13 points, spiked by three triples, while Rio Disi added 11 markers in the triumph that witnessed the squad tally 29 assists and rule the battle of the boards in lopsided fashion as well, 51-30.
That kind of balanced attack is surely something that the opposing team could only wish for as none from the Broncos were able to finish in twin digits, with Temuulen Chinges their top scorer with only 9 points.
"We have to look at ourselves in the mirror, and understand that as champions, you can't play this way," Stedmon Lemon said. "There's a target on your back, and you have to be ready to come out and play every night."
"It's unacceptable," he added.
FIBA