JOHOR BAHRU (Malaysia) - Memorable moments were indeed aplenty during the BCL Asia-East 2026 Group Phase and with the Final 6 fast approaching, it's high-time to take a quick look at some of it.
From record-setting performances, to thrilling matches that took place before a capacity crowd, and even to results that nobody saw coming, we list down the five best moments across the first six windows.
All hail the (assists) king
DJ Cooper wasted no time introducing himself as he played a crucial role in Dewa United Banten's 97-77 beatdown of Hi-Tech Basketball Club for a successful tournament debut last March at home in Tangerang.
The FIBA Europe Cup veteran finished with 19 assists, easily resetting the record for most dimes by a player in a BCL Asia qualifiers game which was previously at 10, made by Dominic Gilbert back in 2024.
But making it more impressive was that Cooper would finish in double digits in the said statistical department in their next five games, finishing the Group Phase as its leading dime-maker with 14.2 per game.
Streaks busted
Unbeaten were the Broncos last season as they swept their way to the BCL Asia-East 2025 championship, and even extended that streak when they opened this year's campaign by escaping South China AA.
But good things really do come to an end, and that happened when they fell to New Taipei by way of an 80-79 decision last April 19 in Taipei City, marking the biggest upset of the 2026 competitions thus far,
The Mongolian powerhouse bowed to a Jalen Harris split in the dying moments and that loss would actually be a start of a harrowing skid, although they managed to save their campaign which we'll discuss later,
It was actually a week full of stunners, with the first courtesy of eventual Final 6 hosts Johor when they stopped Dewa United from their tracks with an 90-87 victory last April 16 at the Arena Larkin Indoor Stadium.
For context, the Indonesian outfit came into the bout unbeaten after three games, with one of their wins against the Southern Tigers - a 91-79 result last March 29 in their own stomping grounds at Dewa United Arena.
But JST went on to show how different the ball game could be when in front of their home crowd, riding on the fans' energy on the way to netting actually their first-ever win in the pan-regional contest.
Johor Bahru: Best window?
And since we're already talking about Johor, that window in Johor Bahru has created a case so strong as arguably the most exciting set of games played in this year's edition due to the playoff-like atmosphere it gave.
Aside from the aforementioned upset, the two others in Group A figured in classic bouts. Dewa United, for one, needed Troy Gillenwater and Joshua Ibarra in the clutch to escape Hi-Tech in overtime, 99-94, to go 3-0.
But the Thai squad would pick themselves up a few nights later, foiling the Southern Tigers' bid of a perfect homestand by way of a 91-89 decision, thanks to Pongsakorn Jaimsawad's timely hits from deep.
A rare 20-20
While they fell short of sweeping their home games, it gave Johor the confidence that they can go out and compete, and that's precisely what they did as the crew repeated over Dewa United in Bangkok.
Scottie Lewis, with his high-flying act, starred in the triumph by leading the third-quarter turnaround, although it was also hard not to ignore what the opposition did to compete, specifically Joshua Ibarra.
The Mexican national team standout led the way for his side with 27 points and 21 rebounds, which, according to available records, marked the first 20-20 performance by a player in a BCL Asia-East game.
Broncos save season
As mentioned, the Broncos suffered a harrowing four-game skid in the Group Phase and that, of course, raised concerns from fans and observers alike about their ability to defend the throne they won last year.
But they'd go on to hush everybody. In the final day of the Group Phase last May 8 in Ulaanbaatar, the reigning, three-time The League champions submitted a stupendous showing to crush the Kings, 108-75.
Rising stars Azbayar Altangerel and Barsbold Baatar Erdene spearheaded the balanced attack in what was actually a virtual knockout game for both teams, with the winner completing the Final 6 picture.
And the Broncos would be the last piece to it, keeping their back-to-back hopes alive, too.
What stood out to you the most?
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