ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - It should go without saying that the target on XAC Broncos' back has grown bigger than ever coming into the much-awaited Basketball Champions League Asia-East (BCL Asia-East) 2026.
That, of course, comes with the territory being the pan-regional meet's defending champions. And they, too, are aware of how testy the path could get in trying to keep the coveted trophy at home in Mongolia.
This group we are in is very competitive ... But I see us at the top again.
It's going to be tough as early as the Group Phase, in which they're part of a four-team Group B ensemble that includes an old adversary in Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, whom they beat to snare the gold last year.
Aside from a vengeful foe, another team from Chinese Taipei in the New Taipei Kings are in the mix, along with Hong Kong, China representatives in South China Athletic, who are one of this season's three newcomers.
Ian Miller and the reigning, two-time The League champions, though, aren't backing down to the challenge whatsoever.
"All in all, this group we are in is very competitive, and having two teams from Chinese Taipei, we must prepare for this," offered the BCL Asia-East 2025 Most Valuable Player. "But I see us at the top again."
Because much of their attention, really, is on being the best that they could be and that starts from putting in the work, most especially during the unseen hours - and that's precisely why they're hardly bothered.
After all, the Broncos are the barometer for the others to follow given their historic run last season that culminated to a bronze finish in the BCL Asia proper, although they'd rather stay grounded in a bid to sustain success.
"I only see the Broncos. Focusing on what we have to do and working smarter will help us to handle competition," said Miller, who normed 21.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in Dubai en route to the All-Star Five in Dubai.
"We continue the path but working harder, pushing each other daily. We know if the work is put in, then the success will come," continued the 34-year-old floor general out of Florida State University.
It's practically the same team from last season which the Broncos are running back with but some key cogs have left, such as versatile forward Jordan Tolbert, who recently joined, interestingly, the Kings of the TPBL.
While others took their talents elsewhere, the team did welcome some fresh faces - and familiar ones, too, including Temuulen Chinges, who's back with the club after a stint with the Saigon Heat in Vietnam.
Then there's also Jordy Tshimanga, who provided a dominant inside presence and formed a solid troika with Miller and Tolbert - a troika which meshed so well with the local unit headed by Barsbold Baatar-Erdene.
With that kind of familiarity they have with one another, plus their concerted efforts in maintaining a winning tradition, the veteran PG has zero doubt with the repeat seekers' capability to succeed anew.
"The new faces are becoming so good. They are rising to every occasion. The Broncos culture is getting better and stronger every game. We know what we will face, and we will be prepared," Miller said.
FIBA