WAN CHAI (Hong Kong, China) - Competing in the Basketball Champions League Asia-East (BCL Asia-East) 2026 isn't solely about waving the flag of Hong Kong, China for the South China Athletic Association.
"We are a new team, you know. Nobody believes in us," said Rodrigue Andela, who helped the club rule the 2024-25 Hong Kong A1 Division Championship that paved the way to their participation in the pan-regional meet.
There's also an eagerness to hush the skeptics for this crew, who's among the three new entrants in this latest edition of the annual tournament, the others being Dewa United Banten and the Johor Southern Tigers.
And so, being a neophyte in a field headed by familiars from previous seasons merits more scrutiny from fans and observers alike, curious to see if they do have what it takes to be among East Asia's best squads.
We want to be in the Final.
South China didn't have the ideal start to their campaign after collapsing against the XAC Broncos last Monday, but it was nonetheless a gallant stand as they only lost by a field goal to the reigning champions.
But the following night, the crew made sure that no meltdown whatsoever would take place, turning in a consistent outing to hand New Taipei a massive 103-82 beatdown, applying their lessons from their debut.
And to have done as much just 24 hours apart, with tired legs and all, makes it all the more impressive, leaving head coach Lo Yi Ting beaming with so much pride with how his charges responded to the challenge.
"I think we did a good job on executing. And we did a good job handling the pressure on defense. It's a big difference from yesterday. We did a good job," offered the former South China guard turned mentor.
With the result, not only did they break through but the team has also become the first from HKG to win a game in the FIBA continental club circuit in 24 years, or since Winling during the 2002 ABC Champions Cup.
For Andela, Tuesday's big win against their TPBL counterparts serves as a message from the only 17-time HKA1 champions of what they would want to accomplish right in their maiden BCL Asia-East stint.
"We have a lot to prove," said the Cameroonian wing, who finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds to earn Player of the Game honors. "The message is, we’re coming. We’re coming for the Final. We want to be in the Final."
"I had the opportunity to win the Final last year, I won in the Final in college, too," added Andela, himself a PAC-12 Conference champion with Oregon State back in 2021. "So, I know how to win the Final, that’s why I’m here."
"So the message is, we’re coming for everything. We want to win," he closed.
South China will look to finish their home stand with another win against the BCL Asia-East 2025 runners-up in Taoyuan Pauian Pilots on Thursday, April 9. For more on the ongoing season's schedule, click here.
FIBA