JOHOR BAHRU (Malaysia) - Glen Yang made his first-ever Basketball Champions League Asia-East stint all the more memorable by taking home Most Valuable Player honors of the 2026 competitions, Sunday night.
The Canadian-board floor general earned the pan-regional contest's highest individual award after helping lead South China Athletic to the championship at the expense of Taoyuan Pauian in the Final, 113-103.
He received the title from FIBA Asia Executive Director, Mr. Hagop Khajirian, just before the awarding ceremonies, which concluded with the club from Hong Kong, China hoisting the coveted trophy in celebration.
"It's very, very special," a grateful Yang reflected. "This club was the club that I started my professional career with when I was 19. And to come back full circle... It's just a short period, but it felt so special."
"We really had no expectations coming into it; we just kinda went into it hoping for the best. And to come out on top winning the Basketball Champions League Asia-East is amazing. It's unbelievable," he added.
Yang was among those who shined in the titular bout, finishing with 24 points on an excellent 10-of-12 shooting from the floor - including a perfect 4-of-4 clip from deep - on top of 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal.
A well-traveled pro who's had stints in Europe and Asia, the 29-year-old rejoined SCAA for this year's BCL Asia-East edition and became one of their more consistent producers even though they struggled at first.
In the six games they played in the regular season, Yang averaged 13.3 points on 46.4-percent shooting from three-point distance, 3.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in 28.7 minutes of action.
That included a 14-point outing against the Chinggis Broncos in their final Group Phase game last May 5, in which he scored 11 in the fourth to tow his side to the 86-84 win which eventually sent them to the Final 6.
He'd go on to up the ante come the Final 6, averaging 15.6 points to help South China sweep their way into the Final, highlighted by big wins against the erstwhile unbeaten Pilots and the Broncos in the Semi-Finals.
Then came the Big Dance, where Yang would save his best for last as he played a major role in repeating against their counterparts from Chinese Taipei on the way to emerging as the new kings of the region.
"It was just a total team effort. It's honestly unbelievable, and a huge career moment for me - and I know for my teammates and coaches as well," said Yang.
FIBA