- 10
- June
- 2025
Already qualified, Al Riyadi didn’t take its foot off the gas against Taiwan’s Taoyuan Pauian. Led by a red-hot Wael Arakji (33 points), the reigning Asian champions delivered another offensive masterclass in Dubai (99-82), wrapping up the Basketball Champions League Asia 2025 group stage with a perfect record. The Yellow squad heads to the quarterfinals unbeaten.
Message Received: Riyadi Didn’t Come to Dubai for Sightseeing
Less than 24 hours after dismantling South Korea’s Changwon LG, Ahmad Farran’s men did it again Monday night, crushing Taoyuan Pauian 99-82. It was a wire-to-wire win, powered by an MVP-level performance from Wael Arakji. The Lebanese point guard was unstoppable, torching the defense with 33 points on 10-of-13 shooting, along with 7 assists and 4 rebounds. A dominant display, capped off with a buzzer-beating jumper to close the first quarter 30-20.
Offensive Juggernaut in Motion
At the point, Arakji conducts. On the wing, Marcus Georges-Hunt ignites. The former Shabab Al-Ahli star, perfectly at home in this familiar arena, lit it up in the second quarter with back-to-back three-pointers that stretched the lead to +20 (47-27). He finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in a composed performance. Thon Maker, less flashy than the day before but still a towering presence, added 16 points and 2 blocks, as the team shot a blazing 55.3% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc (12/24). A steamroller.
Across the Court: Pilots Grounded Without Their Captain
Missing their star Lu Chun-Hsiang, sidelined with an ankle injury in the opening game, the Taiwanese side couldn’t keep up. Alec Brown (17 points, 13 rebounds) and Julian Boyd (also 17 points) did their best to keep the Pilots in it, to little avail. Treveon Graham (14 points) and Li Chia-Kang (12) also scored, but Riyadi never looked in danger. Up by 20 at halftime, the Yellow squad managed the game like true champions.
Onto the Quarterfinals
"I’m happy we’re in the quarters. Now it’s simple: win or go home," said Ahmad Farran, calm but focused. Mission accomplished: two games, two wins, a fiery offense, and a sense of total control. With this 15th straight win in a FIBA competition (going back to WASL-West Asia), Riyadi enters the quarterfinals as a team to fear. Taoyuan also advances, but under very different circumstances.
Arakji Takes Off
Three days after celebrating his 30th birthday, Wael Arakji reminded everyone who rules the Asian backcourt. Inspired, clinical, and electric, he embodies this Riyadi squad on a mission. The Yellow Palace is fully operational—on course for the Final Four… and maybe more. At this pace, even the stars might end up shining yellow.
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