ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - Azbayar Altangerel fulfilled a role so crucial in keeping the Chinggis Broncos' title defense bid alive by completing the BCL Asia-East 2026 Final 6 picture last May 8 here at home.
The uber-athletic winger submitted his best game of the season to date, firing 21 points and hauling down 12 rebounds to lead the Mongolian powerhouse's 108-75 beatdown of New Taipei to advance.
"The whole team tried to fight," the soft-spoken youngster offered after the match at the MBank Arena. "We played according to the game plan, that's why we won big. Everybody communicated well with each other."
It's actually no longer a surprise to see him come through with big performances for he's done that in the past, although this particular showing of his was indicative of how much he's grown over the years.
...they've been helping us, that's why I wanted to level it up for this season.
And speaks as well of his willingness to embrace the limelight, no matter how bright it gets.
Their BCL Asia-East campaign was on the line and while the kind of pressure that such a situation brings could tear others down, Altangerel saw it as an opportunity to prove his worth time and again.
And as the final buzzer sounded, he raised his fists in triumph together with the entire Broncos, marking yet another highlight to what's turning out to be a memorable 2025-26 season for him personally.
Twelve days prior to the virtual knockout game, Altangerel earned Finals MVP honors after helping the club achieve a 'three-peat' in The League by dealing the Selenge Bodons a gentleman's sweep in the best-of-7 affair.
It was his first time winning the said award, growing his personal collection of league trophies after previously winning both Regular Season MVP and Defensive Player of the Year titles during the 2024-25 season.
All that at 21 years old, yes.
Altangerel has every reason to talk all about himself given what he has achieved at such a young age but that isn't the way he operates, instead giving much of the credit to his brothers in arms for helping him succeed.
And in upping the ante, too.
"We've been believing in each other, and they've been helping us, that's why I wanted to level it up for this season," said the 2.04M (6'8") high-flyer, who's been averaging 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds this season.
Still, the learnings don't stop for him and the Broncos, as they've also been trying to adjust to the new reality they've been in since 2024: playing in international leagues such as the BCL Asia-East, to be exact.
"Of course, we are gaining experience from the last seasons," he reflected. "Especially, I want to mention the travels. I need to focus and learn how to handle the travels, because it's so hard for us."
They'd get the hang of it, for sure.
FIBA