ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - Hayk Gyokchyan lauded the collective effort Al Riyadi showed in finding ways to ace the test brought by Ittihad Club in their final FIBA WASL Final 8 2026 Group Phase game Wednesday.
The seasoned forward lauded the reigning 2-time champions' resolve after figuring in a slow start which their Saudi Arabian counterparts pounced on by building a lead as big as 12 during the second quarter.
"We were trying to keep ourselves motivated because we knew we didn't want to bring any negative vibes," he said after their 87-76 victory to send them off to the Semi-Finals with a perfect 3-0 slate in Group A.
"Plus, when we wear the Riyadi jersey, it's expected from us to be at our best at every single game," he added. "In the second half we put a little more energy, stuck to our game plan, and we're able to come up with a win."
Getting the job done despite the fact that they missed key players in veteran PG Amir Saoud and Zach Lofton due to medical reasons makes it all the more gratifying for him - and the rest of the squad, for sure.
"It was also the 'next man up' mentality.' We were missing two key players on our team. Everyone else stepped up, tried to do our best," he praised. "And the most important thing is that we got away with the win."
And we keep the streak going.
It remains unsure if the backcourt tandem would be available to play in the Final Phase this weekend, although it isn't just their statuses which fans and observers alike are wondering about entering the knockouts.
As Gyokchyan himself brought up, he and the Yellow Castle are particularly glad that they managed to keep their streak alive, which, needless to say, means so much for the entire ball club given that he mentioned it.
What exactly is that streak?
After bowing to BC Astana and settling for 4th in the Final 8 inaugurals in 2023, Riyadi went on a tear the next season, taking home the ultimate prize by way of a mighty 5-game sweep of the tilt held in Qatar.
By beating Ittihad, their winning run in the pan-regional contest's culminating showpiece has extended to 13 games now. They also went 5-0 during the 2025 festivities, capped by a rout of Tabiat in the Final.
Last year's edition was held at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex as well and the team of Coach Ahmad Farran are definitely hoping that the homecourt edge would work in their favor in a bid to achieve a '3-peat.'
But it isn't lost on Riyadi that the teams competing in the Semi-Finals are keen on ending their years-long reign as champions - from rivals Sagesse SC, to Kuwait Club, and to either Al Ula Club or Shahrdari Gorgan.
Which team can do it?
FIBA