BEIRUT (Lebanon) - It's one thing to achieve success, but it's a whole different story in trying to sustain it.
That, for sure, will be the goal of XAC Broncos, as they're out to defend their Basketball Champions League-Asia East (BCL Asia-East) championship in the 2026 edition that commences, at last, later this week.
BCL Asia history
Mongolia's The League outfit turned in a historic campaign in the 2024-25 season, which saw them rule the BCL Asia-East inaugurals via nine-game sweep - capped by a victory over the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in the Final.
But they refused to stop there. They made waves in the BCL Asia proper in Dubai, concluding their campaign with a bronze medal by beating Shabab Al Ahli to give the country its best finish in the prestigious club tilt.
What they achieved - and in the manner they did it - was, without a doubt, one of the best turnarounds that the competition has seen. given the fact that they bowed out early during the BCL Asia Qualifiers in 2024.
From a 1-3 record in the 2024 tilt, the Broncos went perfect in the BCL Asia-East as mentioned, before netting three wins in the five games they played in the 'City of Gold' for a 12-2 record across the two events.
Qualifying path
Definitely, they would want to replicate, or even surpass, that run, now that they're set to run it back in the BCL Asia-East - an opportunity they gave themselves by conquering their domestic league.
The Broncos booked a return trip by lording over the 2024-25 The League competitions, beating Bishrelt Metal anew to complete a back-to-back feat and to net their third championship in four seasons as well.
It was a fitting conclusion to a victorious season for the crew, who finished as the no. 1 team in the regular season with a 19-8 record before beating Darkhan United, Selenge, and then Bishrelt to snare another gold.
Players to watch
Reigning BCL Asia-East MVP Ian Miller will once again lead the charge for a team that boasts quite a depth with many weapons to choose from such as athletic wing Azbayar Altangerel and Barsbold Baatar Erdene.
Altangerel, it could be recalled, starred in their bronze-clinching game versus Shabab Al Ahli, going a perfect 11-for-11 from the field for 28 points, including the layup with 1:11 left that eventually brought the 84-79 result.
Erdene, on the other hand, was one of their steadier players across the two events, actually. In the BCL Asia alone, the heady guard posted averages of 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2,2 assists in five games played.
There's also another holdover in big man Jordy Tshimanga, who was one of their most important players last season with his dominant presence inside as the Broncos are keeping some cogs from the 2024-25 roster.
The Broncos are situated in Group B of the BCL Asia-East 2026 together with Chinese Taipei sides Taoyuan Pauian and New Taipei Kings, and newcomer South China AA. To know more about their campaign, click here.
FIBA