TAIPEI CITY (Chinese Taipei) -- New Taipei took a page out of the Chinggis Broncos' playbook, and it sure proved effective in upending the defending BCL Asia-East champions in their encounter last Sunday.
The Kings dealt the Mongolian powerhouse its first defeat in the pan-regional competition in two years by way of an 80-79 decision, and playing a crucial role in the upset was no less than the versatile Jordan Tolbert.
The 33-year-old submitted an all-around outing of 10 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block, as he proved to be a thorn on the side of the very same team he helped reach unprecedented heights.
I hope, to some extent, I can help make BCL Asia a better experience.
For the uninitiated, 'JT' was part of the Broncos team that made history last season - from ruling the BCL Asia-East 2025 via eight-game sweep, to taking home the bronze in the BCL Asia proper in Dubai.
"It’s a strange feeling, to be honest," he admitted after facing his former teammates for the first time. "I felt like I should be there with them, but that’s not my business. What’s most important now are the Kings."
It sure felt a tad odd for fans and pundits alike as well to see one of the Broncos' key cogs not so long ago wearing different threads but all that is in the past now, and all of Tolbert's focus is on the present with his new team.
The hooper from Fort Worth, Texas has always been a consummate professional and he totally understands that it's part of the business. After all, it isn't the first time that he's gone through the very same situation.
When he joined the Broncos for the 2024-25 competitions, he and basketball supporters from Malaysia had to get used to him wearing the red, white, and blue after representing NS Matrix during the season prior.
Tolbert was part of the Deers team that competed in the inaugural BCL Asia Qualifiers in 2024, in which they secured a top-two finish to book themselves an appearance in the BCL Asia proper in that same year.
So this ongoing New Taipei stint of his serves as the third straight time that he's competing in the BCL Asia ecosystem, easily making him one of the few players who could call themselves a veteran in this tilt.
But the 10-year pro out of Southern Methodist University thinks otherwise.
"I never thought of it that way," said Tolbert. "I hope, to some extent, I can help make BCL Asia a better experience. I love the moments I’ve shared in BCL Asia, all the places I’ve been in, and the people I’ve met."
"I’ve made and am still making memories I’ll never forget," he added.
No doubt that he's created lots of moments to cherish for a lifetime and definitely, Tolbert would want to make more with the Kings, a team that's hoping to finally make it to the BCL Asia proper after missing last year.
So far, things are turning out nicely for him and the crew. In fact, that win against the Broncos was their second in a row, which has evened their record to .500 after suffering back-to-back losses to start the season.
Needless to say, they'd want to continue the turnaround and reach the Final 6, which shall bring them closer to fulfilling the ultimate goal - making it to the continent's most prestigious club competition, that is.
"Everyone here wants to win," said Tolbert, who's been averaging 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 steals thus far. "It’s a big family. And like any family, we have our moments where we struggle."
"Any time I step on the basketball court, I expect to win," he closed.
FIBA