MIES (Switzerland) - The best clubs of Asia gathered for the first time in Hong Kong in 1981 to determine the top team in the region, and it was Bayi Rockets of China who took the iconic inaugural FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

Eight clubs participated in the first edition of the competition - then known as the Asian Basketball Confederations Champions Cup - with Bayi being joined by Nippon Kokan of Japan, Philippines side Apcor, Industry Bank of Korea, Kwan On of Hong Kong, Singapore's SIA, PKN Selangor of Malaysia and Ohod of Saudi Arabia.

Philippines side Apcor in '81

From March 28 to April 5, 1981, the eight teams played a round robin group format with the final standings determining the medals. Bayi and Nippon were both undefeated going into the final day of action and the Chinese side won 98-53 for a 7-0 record and Kokan took second place at 6-1. Apcor finished the podium with a 5-2 mark.

The second edition came in 1984 with Northern Cement of Philippines beating Bayi Rockets in the Final 82-56. Four years later, Filipino side Swift-PABL downed Liaoning Hunters of China 84-69 to win the title.

The competition was played again in 1990 and 1992 before shifting to annually in 1993 and running until 2019. The 2020 and 2021 FIBA Asia Champions Cups were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019 winners Alvark Tokyo

Sagesse of Lebanon are the record winners with three crowns in1999, 2000 and 2004. Al-Rayyan of Qatar claimed the title in 2002 and 2005 as one of four clubs with two titles along with Al-Riyardi Beirut of Lebanon and the Iranian duo of Mahram Tehran and Saba Battery Tehran. Al-Rayyan also have collected the most medals: 11 in total along with five silvers and 4 bronzes.

FIBA