- 14
- June
- 2025
Deprived of their leaders Arakji, Saoud, and Zeinoun, the defending champions lost their throne by a hair’s breadth to Japan’s Utsunomiya Brex (94–93) on Friday night in Dubai.
“One single soul gone, and all is desolate,” said the poet. So what can be said when three pillars collapse on the eve of a final? Without Wael Arakji, Asia’s best player who was injured in the quarterfinal, without emblematic captain Amir Saoud, also sidelined, and without Karim Zeinoun, who fouled out in the second half, Riyadi fought a heroic but incomplete battle.
At Dubai’s C-C Arena, the Yellow squad saw its dream of back-to-back continental titles vanish by a thread, 94-93, against Utsunomiya Brex. A dagger three-pointer by DJ Newbill, with 23 seconds left, shattered a shorthanded but valiant Riyadi. Hayk Gyokchyan’s buzzer-beater attempt — despite his solid tournament — clanged off the rim. And with it, Lebanon’s last hopes.
A Castle Without Its Towers
Riyadi is a team built on cohesion. But like any fortress, even the most unbreakable needs its towers. Arakji — the floor general and nightmare of Asian defenses. Saoud — the sniper and soul of the locker room. Zeinoun — the glue guy and silent defender. Their absence left a void that neither Ali Mansour’s bravery, nor Gyokchyan’s tireless effort (22 points), nor Marcus Georges-Hunt’s 24 points and 8 assists could fully fill.
Despite a scorching start (29-16 at the end of the first quarter), the Beirut side was overrun in the clutch. Utsunomiya rained down threes (17 made – a tournament record), led by a red-hot Hiejima (30 pts, 6/10 from deep, 9 rebounds, 5 assists), a clutch Newbill (21 pts, 5 assists), and a valuable Finn Delany (19 pts, 7 rebounds, 4 assists).
“What we did was stay united, no matter the circumstances. We fought to the end and made the big plays when it mattered,” said Zico Coronel, interim coach of Utsunomiya. “This is our second title. It feels very rewarding.”
Bitter Taste, but a Dignified Exit
Just like their 2025 BCL Asia run, the Lebanese showed class, heart, and character. But elite sport doesn’t hand out favors — especially in a final. The reigning champions bowed out with their heads held high, leaving the throne to a team that struck at the perfect moment.
History will remember that on this night, the Japanese ended a six-year drought, bringing the trophy home for the first time since 2019 — also against Riyadi. And history will also remember that Riyadi fought to the very last second, supported by the crowd, but with unequal weapons.
Gyokchyan thought he’d done the hardest part with a clutch basket under a minute from the end (93-91 at 58 seconds). But Newbill, ice-cold, punished them from beyond the arc. Once again, the dream slipped away on a cruel shot.
BCL Asia remains elusive for Marcus Georges-Hunt, who was also a losing finalist last year with Riyadi against Shabab Al Ahli.
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