NEW TAIPEI CITY (Chinese Taipei) - Taoyuan Pauian became the first to punch a ticket to the BCL Asia-East 2026 Final 6 after cruising past New Taipei, 98-63, at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium on Sunday evening.
The Pilots took control in the game's first 10 minutes before pulling away wide come the ensuing chapter, turning the Taipei Derby into a one-sided affair in their favor to eventually stretch their unbeaten run.
Coach Iurgi Caminos & Co. have netted their fifth win in as many outings, allowing themselves not only to stay perfect thus far but to seal as well the no. 1 spot in Group B, thus their qualification to the next round.
But for sure, the defending P. League+ champions would want to sweep their way into the Final 6, which they could accomplish in their rematch with the Chinggis Broncos on May 7 at the MBank Arena in Mongolia.
"It means a lot," said the seasoned Spanish bench tactician, with his sights set, of course, on bettering their finish in the pan-regional tilt this time after settling for a runner-up finish to the Broncos last season.
"Last year, we lost in the Final of the BCL Asia-East and this year, we want to be back there to try to bring the championship to Chinese Taipei," added Caminos.
Setric Millner, Jr. led Taoyuan Pauian with 30 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Will Artino and Alec Brown were solid once more by finishing with 17 points apiece and combining for 23 of the team's 46 rebounds, while Kuan Ta You chipped in 10 points as the quartet bannered the rout.
The Pilots shot 50.7-percent from the floor, including 13 triples, thanks to their 23 assists in the victory that saw the squad lead by as many as 38 points as their TPBL counterparts couldn't generate any rhythm.
As a result, the Kings saw their mini winning streak end at two, and are now compelled to win their remaining game of the Group Phase versus the Broncos on May 8 in Ulaanbaatar to keep their Final 6 hopes.
Jayden Gardner led NTK with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in the loss that dropped their card to 2-3.
Lin Yan Ting produced 15 points and 7 assists while Jordan Tolbert added 13 points and 10 boards as the troika carried much of the load for a team that played without star scorer Jalen Harris.
"I hope the basketball gods bless us to win in Mongolia," Tolbert said.
FIBA