BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The South China Athletic Association have been in existence for almost a century now and they're all set to add another chapter to their lore by attempting to join Asia's most prestigious club meet.
The Hong Kong A1 Division's most decorated team is raring to test their mettle against sides from neighboring nations as they're competing in the upcoming BCL Asia-East 2026 which opens on March 27.
Qualifying path
They'd be the first team from Hong Kong, China to be competing in the BCL Asia qualifiers since Hong Kong Eastern in 2024 and they earned a slot by conquering their domestic league in the 2024-25 season.
After missing out on a 'three-peat' in the previous tilt, South China went on a redemption tour, first by finishing at no. 2 in the eliminations with an 8-1 record before kicking out Fukien in the best-of-3 Semi-Finals.
The crew would go on to finish their story by dealing Winling a gentleman's sweep in the best-of-5 Finals. capped off by an 81-79 come-from-behind win in Game 4 thanks to a massive 34-point eruption in the fourth.
Team history
In clinching the 2024-25 crown, South China grew their A1 Division championship collection to 17, which makes them the winningest team in league history - a feat that shall make their forefathers beam with pride.
For starters, the club was founded in 1932, or nearly 30 years after the Chinese Football Team - eventually renamed to South China Football Club - was formed by a group of students.
It wasn't until 1954, though, that the A1 Division which fans know of today would be founded, and South China would go on to etch their name in the league's history books as its inaugural champions by season's end.
That then began a reign of dominance for the club in the local scene. Aside from their 17 league championships, South China also boast of 17 Senior Shield titles, as well as a pair of Straits Cup trophies.
Players to watch
Hong Kong, China men's team standout Kelvin Tsang is expected to be at front and center for South China's BCL Asia-East campaign after deservingly earning Finals MVP honors in their conquest of Winling.
The 25-year-old guard posted solid averages of 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the series, and performing that way should easily make him one of the upcoming tourney's players to look out for.
But the team won't just be about Tsang as South China are coming in with solid pieces - from locals Yip Yiu Pong and Wong Ho Yin, to tall reinforcements such as Rodrigue Andela and Canadian-born Tommy Nixon.
South China AA are in for a challenging campaign ahead as they're drawn in Group B with reigning BCL Asia-East champions XAC Broncos of Mongolia, and Chinese Taipei sides Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and New Taipei Kings.
To learn more about their upcoming stint, click here.
FIBA