ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - The New Taipei Kings could easily take a breath. They've already secured their place in the BCL Asia-East Final Four. The mission - at least on paper - is complete.
But now in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the Kings won't just be showing up. They're here coming for revenge.
The goal is always to win every time we step onto the floor.
Their target? The undefeated Broncos - the only team that has managed to hand them a loss in the BCL Asia-East campaign so far. That stinging 81-68 defeat came on April 30, right in the Kings' own backyard of New Taipei City. It wasn't just a loss. It was a physical, humbling night.
"They just really bullied us on the glass," Kings head coach Ryan Marchand admitted after that game. It was a rare show of vulnerability from a team that's thrived on intensity and depth across multiple competitions.
Now, just under two weeks later, the Kings are back on their feet - and back in the win column. Their 88-82 victory over Thailand's Hi-Tech on May 6 punched their ticket to the Final Four, continuing a remarkable run that's seen the Kings perform relatively well in every league they've competed in this season.
“The goal is always to win every time we step onto the floor,” Marchand said after the victory in Bangkok. “To make two different Final Fours, I think that's a really big thing for the organization. It's a testament to the players... to advance in all those leagues this season is a really big deal.”
But despite their spot in the next round already secure, don't expect the Kings to take it easy. There’s a lot still on the table in Ulaanbaatar - pride, positioning, and maybe most of all, payback.
"I think we learned to just not underestimate anyone," said Kings veteran Mike Efevberha after the April loss. "They came out with definitely a championship effort."
Now, the Kings have a chance to show if they've done the homework.
If the Kings win - and win by enough - they could finish atop the group standings,.
But for a team that thrives on competition and accountability, it's not just about seeding.
It's about proving they've grown.
It’s about answering that early-season gut check.
It's about showing that this time, they won't be bullied.
FIBA