DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - It's either you go big or go home and that, no doubt, would be the mindset of all eight teams bound to compete in the BCL Asia 2025 Quarter-Finals at the Coca-Cola Arena.
After an interesting Group Phase at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall, the tilt now shifts into the renowned state-of-the-art venue for the Final Phase, beginning with an action-packed June 11.
That's because all the qualified teams are set to play on the same day, with the knockouts beginning at 12:00 local time with a meeting between Tabiat Basketball and the Utsunomiya Brex.
The FIBA WASL 2025 runners-up from Iran are one of only two teams that finished the stage prior unbeaten as they beat the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions and then the Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos to sweep Group A.
Tabiat should be well-prepared coming in, especially after posting a narrow 78-76 win over the BCL Asia-East 2025 champions in which they overhauled an early deficit before warding off their foes in a test of character.
But the thing is, they're bound to face another team from East Asia whose confidence has risen after taking down hosts Shabab Al Ahli on Monday as well to formalize their entry to the Quarter-Finals.
Champions of the 2024-25 B.League season, the Brex started their campaign on the wrong foot following a loss to the Meralco Bolts last Sunday, but responded to the must-win situation 24 hours later solidly.
The winner between Tabiat and Utsunomiya are bound for a collision course in the Semi-Finals against whoever reigns victorious between the Bolts and the Broncos, a match-up scheduled at 15:00 local time.
It would be a clash of teams that went 1-1 in their respective groups, with the reigning PBA Philippine Cup champions arguably the more optimistic side coming off that 97-86 victory over the Brex.
But it surely won't be easy going up against a team hungry for redemption, especially after getting so close in upending the Iran Basketball League outfit - a story that could've further added to their lore.
The Broncos have been writing history this season - from becoming the first team from Mongolia to win a regional title, to giving the country its first win in the tourney formerly known as the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
Will they add a first Semi-Final appearance to that? What's certain is that they're bound for a tough challenge ahead as Ulaanbaatar Xac will have to go through a team that's once reached the Final Four of this tilt.
It could be recalled that Meralco were chosen to represent the Philippines in the 2018 Champions Cup in Thailand and there, they went on to go as far as the Semi-Finals before settling for a fourth-place finish.
No doubt that they would want to be in that same position again, but of course with the hope to bring home a medal - something that the country hasn't tasted in this competition for nearly 30 years now.
Set to meet at 18:00 local time, meanwhile, would be Shabab Al Ahli and the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots , with much of the attention, of course, on the home team as they're motivated by last year's heartbreak.
The UAE League Basketball powerhouse went on a magical run all the way to the Big Dance of the BCL Asia inaugurals, but ultimately fell short of capping it off with a storybook ending after bowing to Al Riyadi.
But the club has since written major achievements, none bigger than winning the FIBA WASL-Gulf League for the first time in just their maiden appearance in the Sub-Zone League's Final after sweeping Ittihad Club.
Now they're back in Asia's most prestigious club competition hoping to finish their story, although they choose to stay in the present and that's by dealing with the team from Chinese Taipei first and foremost.
Runners-up in the BCL Asia-East 2025, the Pilots are out to prove that they can get the job done despite the uncertainty surrounding the status of main man Lu Chun-Hsiang due to an ankle injury.
They may be facing a tall order but the 2024-25 P.League winners won't go down without a fight, for sure, with their desire to end a 41-year medal drought for Chinese Taipei serving as a motivation for the squad.
Whoever wins between Shabab Al Ahli and Taoyuan Pauian will face either Al Riyadi or the Lions, teams that comprise the other Quarter-Final bracket and will play at 21:00 local time to cap off the quadruple-header.
Without question, it's one of the most anticipated games in this round, with the long-time Lebanese basketball royalty out to dismantle whatever and whoever comes in their quest for a rare BCL Asia back-to-back.
They've said many times in the past that they're out to conquer and win everything and nothing has changed one bit with their mindset, as it's always gold or bust for this team that's made unprecedented success this year.
After a successful three-peat in the FIBA WASL-West Asia League, Al Riyadi went on to complete their repeat bid in the FIBA WASL Final 8, thus getting a ticket to BCL Asia 2025 - and a shot at another massive feat.
But firstly, they have to hurdle a hungry Zhejiang Guangsha side, which is also hoping to author its own story in the international stage after winning their breakthrough championship in the CBA just last month.
The Lions are carrying as well the responsibility of bringing China back into the podium of the tournament, where the traditional continental contender has won a total of 10 medals, including four titles.
FIBA