Utsunomiya overcome Al Riyadi to clinch FIBA BCL Asia title in Dubai

Gulf Today

15-06-2025

DJ Newbill nailed arguably the biggest shot of his career to help Utsunomiya Brex dethrone Al Riyadi, 94-93 and claim 2025 FIBA Basketball Champions League Asia title.
With the clock ticking down and Utsunomiya trailing by two, Newbill delivered the shot of a lifetime — a perfectly timed, high-arching, step-back three-pointer over the outstretched arm of Marcus Georges-Hunt with 23.6 seconds remaining. It wasn't just a basket — it was a championship dagger.
The Brex edged Al Riyadi 94–93 in a rollercoaster finale Friday night at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena, snatching the BCL Asia 2025 title in breathtaking fashion. Newbill's late-game heroics turned despair into euphoria for the Japanese side, sparking pandemonium on the Utsunomiya bench and leaving the once-raucous Lebanese faithful stunned into silence.
For Newbill, who finished with 21 points, the moment represented the culmination of grit, leadership, and unwavering confidence. While his numbers were solid throughout, it was that one perfect shot — under the brightest lights and heaviest pressure — that defined his night, and perhaps, his career.
'This is why you play the game,' Newbill said after the win. 'You live for these moments. We've been working for this all season, and to come through for the guys when it mattered... it's everything.'
With the win, Utsunomiya became only the second Japanese club ever to win the BCL Asia championship, following Alvark Tokyo's victory over the same Al Riyadi side in the 2019 final held in Thailand. The symmetry made the triumph even sweeter for Brex, who have now firmly established themselves among the continent's basketball elite.
Acting head coach Zico Coronel called the title a testament to the team's belief and unity under adversity.
'This is what we're all about,' Coronel said. 'No matter what situation we're in, we just fight. We stayed together, trusted each other, and made big plays when it mattered most. This second championship is something we're incredibly proud of — especially considering the quality of opposition we faced.'
While Newbill's shot sealed the outcome, it was Makoto Hiejima who carried the load for most of the night with a spectacular all-around performance. The veteran swingman poured in 30 points, including 6-of-10 from deep, and added 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Time and again, Hiejima battled through defensive pressure, created scoring chances, and pushed the tempo in transition — embodying the heart and hustle of a champion.
Finn Delany added 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Isaac Fotu chipped in 12 points in a balanced offensive display. But the real story was Utsunomiya's shooting barrage: the Brex drained 17 three-pointers in the final alone and hit a record-setting 75 triples over the tournament — the most in a single BCL Asia edition since China Kashgar's 76 in 2016. The Brex also broke a decade-long record for most threes per game, surpassing Al Riyadi's 13.8 average from 2024 and sending a clear message: this team wins with precision, pace, and perimeter firepower.
Despite falling short, Al Riyadi showed immense heart and quality, delivering a championship-level performance of their own. Marcus Georges-Hunt led the fightback with 24 points and 8 assists, particularly dominating the second half as the Lebanese champions erased multiple deficits to seize a late lead.
Ali Mansour was electric with 22 points, while Hayk Gyokchyan turned in a powerful double-double of 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. Both players made critical plays down the stretch — with Mansour tying the game at 91 and Gyokchyan giving Al Riyadi the 93–91 lead on a heads-up second-chance putback after a missed shot by Thon Maker.
Maker and Karim Zeinoun each added 13 points in a courageous effort by a team running on a shortened rotation, hampered by the tournament-ending absences of Amir Saoud and Wael Arakji, two of the squad's long-time cornerstone guards.
'This was a battle,' said Al Riyadi coach Ahmad Farran. 'We played with everything we had. Missing key players hurt us, but I'm proud of our guys — they showed what it means to wear this jersey.'
When the final buzzer sounded and Gyokchyan's last attempt bounced off the rim, jubilation erupted on one side while heartbreak unfolded on the other. Utsunomiya Brex had pulled off the improbable — dethroning the reigning giants and bringing continental glory back to Japan.