ASTANA (Kazakhstan) - There should be no doubt whatsoever how much the game is loved in this city as a solid crowd trooped to the Saryarka Velodrome to welcome the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL).
Over 2,400 screaming souls came to support BC Astana and their energy made the difference, as the long-time Kazakh powerhouse stunned Sagesse SC to nail win no. 1 in the 2025-26 West Asia League contest.
"I think our people and their good atmosphere helped us," said Robert Pan after their 71-62 victory.
But making it all the more special, really, was the fact that they reigned triumphant in their first-ever WASL home game - something that the renowned ball club and their avid fans had only hoped to experience.
I like this. I love to play at home.
For a quick refresher, Astana have been part of the pan-regional competition since the 2022-23 inaugurals, but only played during the Final 8 as they're awarded a ticket being the representatives of Central Asia.
That was the situation during the first three editions, until the league decided to include them to the Sub-Zone League beginning this season as part of the 5-team field in a move that should heighten the competition.
So, it was only a matter of time that WASL went to Kazakhstan, and that finally happened on Wednesday night in the same venue that also serves as home of the country's national basketball teams.
"It's history," offered Astana head coach Ramunas Cvirka. "Today was history."
It was history indeed to see the league hold a game in a place for the first time ever, and the team made sure to give their faithful plenty of reasons to celebrate by taking down a team they lost to twice in the past.
Yes, Astana bowed to the Green Castle in the last two Final 8 festivities, that's why it couldn't get any sweeter that they finally got one against an old tormentor in their very own stomping grounds, in front of their people.
And Pan himself played an important role in it. The sweet-shooting big man fired 21 points thanks to a 5-of-11 clip from deep, none bigger than his last as it pushed their lead to 71-59 with 40.3 seconds left to seal the W.
He was prouder, though, with how they performed as a collective, with a total of four players finishing in double figures - him, Alexandr Zhigulin (15 points) Adas Juskevicius (13 points), and Askar Maykedin (10 points).
"Today was a great game," said the 30-year-old, who also had 5 rebounds and 4 assists. "We were a team, we had good chemistry. I'm very proud of my team because everybody fought today. We showed character."
But all the credit, Pan said, should go to their 'sixth man' - the home crowd, that is.
"Today was a good atmosphere with our fans because we had a lot of people. It's a little bit different because it was a WASL game ... I like this," said the seasoned internationalist. "I love to play at home."
Astana will play their next two WASL games at home. To learn more, click here.
FIBA