Making History, Pelita Jaya Finishes Fifth in BCL Asia 2024

Liputan6.com, Jakarta- A proud achievement was achieved by the only Indonesian representative in the 2024 Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL), Pelita Jaya. Andakara Prastawa and his friends successfully ended the first edition of the tournament between Asian basketball clubs in fifth place. New history was also made by defeating representatives from Iran and South Korea.

Pelita Jaya must start its adventure in BCL Asia 2024 through the qualifying round. In the two qualifying rounds, Pelita Jaya appeared strong. They were able to sweep six matches. PJ defeated representatives from Thailand, Mongolia, Hong-Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

Having passed the two qualifying rounds, Pelita Jaya has the right to appear in the final round of FIBA ​​BCL Asia in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At BCL Asia 2024, Pelita Jaya will have to face tougher opponents. There are basketball league champions in the UAE, Japan, South Korea, Iran, China and Lebanon.

The results of the group draw put Pelita Jaya back in the “Hell” group with Hiroshima Dragonflies (Japan), Shahrdari Gorgan (Iran) and Busan KCC Egis (Korea).

Unfortunately, Pelita Jaya “slipped” in the first game against the Hiroshima Dragonflies, who had just won the Japanese Basketball League, B.League, at the end of May 2024 with a score of 86-68, which is quite a significant margin, which will determine Pelita Jaya's future steps.

Pelita Jaya recovered in the second game by making Indonesian Basketball history. Even though he had to play without mainstay import player JaQuari Mclaughlin, for the first time, he was able to beat the representative from Iran, Shahrdari Gorgan, 97-90.