ASTANA (Kazakhstan) - Taking down the defending FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) champions at this point of the season is already a feat in itself, no doubt, but BC Astana refuse to get carried away whatsoever.
Even though they convincingly defeated Al Riyadi at home, none from the squad aren't getting too high as they simply choose to stay grounded and locked in, with their sights set on the battles that await them.
"I don't know... It just means one win," offered head coach Ramunas Crvika moments after their 75-62 victory at the Saryarka Velodrome, Wednesday night. "It's just one win."
Astana actually have plenty of reasons to celebrate their most recent victory which was witnessed by 4,000-plus fans that trooped to their bailiwick that's also known by many as the Kazakhstan national teams' lair.
They've become just the second team to beat the Yellow Castle in WASL after Shahrdari Gorgan, who did so during the WASL-West Asia League's first two seasons that ignited a new-age rivalry as they met in its Final twice.
It was also during the pan-regional meet's inaugural edition in which the crew first beat Riyadi - a 94-90 result in the Final 8 Third-Place Game in Dubai to salvage a bronze for their highest finish in the league to date.
The most important thing for us is how many more wins [we can get] in FIBA WASL.
The two would cross paths again in the two seasons that followed, although the Lebanese side emerged victorious on both occasions - and in lopsided fashion. They won those meetings by an average margin of 33.5 points.
But this time, Astana finally put an end to that skid, a result which not only maintained their winning ways but sent a statement as well that they're out to shake up the field in their first-ever foray in the Sub-Zone League.
Making it all the more sweeter was the fact that they're also responsible for snapping their foes' 15-game winning streak in the WASL-West Asia League Group Phase, which started during the 2022-23 competitions.
As memorable as the upset could be, what really matters to each and everyone in the team is raking in as many victories as they can in the Group Phase to get themselves a ticket to the Semi-Finals.
Following their stunner of a triumph, Crvika's charges have now won two in a row since dropping their season debut against Gorgan, which are currently sitting atop of the standings with a pristine 3-0 record.
Lurking just behind the Iranian side are Astana even though they share the same 2-1 card with Riyadi, since they have the head-to-head advantage. Riyadi fell to no. 3, followed by Sagesse and Al Wahda SC.
"The most important thing for us is how many more wins [we can get] in FIBA WASL," said Vadim Chsherbak, who finished with 13 points as he was integral in their strong fourth-quarter push predicated on hot shooting from deep.
Soon, the team will have an opportunity to extend that winning streak to three when they host a win-hungry Al Wahda this coming Wednesday in the same venue, which is expected to draw in a solid number of fans again.
Momentum is of course on their side although they know as well that it won't be a walk in the park, as they will be facing a team desperate to crack into the win column after falling just short in their first two outings.
After giving Riyadi a run for their money in the WASL-West Asia League opener, the Syrian representatives did the same against Sagesse SC just last Thursday in Ghazir before bowing in the end no thanks to Paris Bass & Co.
But the homecourt advantage is theirs, and there should be no question how much of a difference it could make as evidenced by their last two games.
"At home we want to win every game," said Chsherbak as he tipped his hat to their ever-supportive home fans that have been showing up in the venue. "It doesn't matter if it's Al Riyadi or any other team."
FIBA