ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - Al Riyadi aren't hiding it - they're here to win everything.
We're aiming to go to Singapore [for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup] again.
With a perfect start to their FIBA WASL Final 8 2025 campaign, the reigning champions are charging toward a second consecutive pan-regional title, eyes firmly fixed on defending their WASL crown and punching their ticket back to the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia), where they are also the reigning kings.
"We have big goals," said head coach Ahmad Farran. "We've said it from Round 1 of WASL-West Asia: Final 8 is the door to BCL Asia. After that, we're aiming to go to Singapore [for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup] again. So, we look at this tournament in a very ambitious way - and we are ready."
Ready, indeed. Riyadi opened their title defense with a dominant 93-58 win over BC Astana, then doubled down with a 101-71 statement in the Beirut Derby against archrivals Sagesse. Both games reflected what has made Riyadi one of the most feared outfits in the region: depth, defensive discipline, and star power.
Reigning BCL Asia MVP Wael Arakji is back in top form, torching Sagesse with 36 points on 15-of-20 shooting — the most ever by a Riyadi player in a Final 8 game.
"But this means nothing. We still have three games to win the title - that's our focus," said Arakji.
Their defensive intensity has been key, forcing 20 turnovers against Astana (leading to 34 points) and stifling Sagesse to just 9 fourth-quarter points.
Equally important has been the maturity of a squad that's stayed level-headed despite the high stakes. "We stay humble - that's the most important thing," Farran noted. "We beat Sagesse before and they came back strong in the Final [of WASL Final 8 2024]. Nothing's done yet."
While Arakji has headlined, Riyadi's strength is in its system. Thon Maker, last year's Final 8 MVP, has returned and continues to anchor the frontcourt alongside Marin Maric and Hayk Gyokchyan. Marcus Georges-Hunt and Amir Saoud have added firepower, while Karim Zeinoun and Ali Mansour provide balance and grit.
Their run so far has followed a dominant West Asia League campaign, where they went undefeated en route to a third straight title - the only team that has won WASL - West Asia so far. But this Riyadi team isn't satisfied with domestic dominance.
"I belive in us, we have great talent," said Maker. "Everybody is focused and locked in, we know the main goal as well, defending the title.
"We understand, we're not going to take anybody lightly. We're not disrespecting anybody. We're coming in, respecting every single opponents we focus on and we just take it one game at a time. For us, we're confident. We're ready to go."
Every game is played with a bigger picture in mind. For Al Riyadi, defending the WASL crown is only the next step. The goal is clear: conquer again, qualify for BCL Asia, and prove once more they're the best in the region - and beyond.
FIBA