NEW TAIPEI CITY (Chinese Taipei) - Hitech Basketball Club are back on the path towards BCL Asia, this time looking to go deeper after a narrow miss in last year’s Qualifiers. The Thai champions are hoping that a championship pedigree and a battle-tested core will push them through to greater success at BCL Asia-East 2025.
In the 2024 Qualifying Round, Hitech went 2-1 in the group phase, posting a dominant 121-70 win over Adroit and surviving a 115-111 overtime thriller against Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos. Their only loss in Round 1 came against Pelita Jaya, one of the top teams in the tournament - as evident by how they eventually made it to BCL Asia proper. That 2-1 record wasn’t enough for automatic qualification, and their journey ended in heartbreak with a narrow 96-93 loss to NS Matrix Deers in the Qualification Game to reach Round 2.
Now, as back-to-back champions of the Basketball Thai League (BTL), Hitech return to the continental stage with new momentum and familiar ambition. Can they finally break through?
History
Founded in 1994, Hitech Basketball Club is one of Thailand’s most storied programs. With numerous domestic and regional titles, the Bangkok-based team has long been a powerhouse in Southeast Asian hoops. They have represented Thailand in multiple international tournaments, including the 2019 FIBA Asia Champions Cup held in Nonthaburi.
They enter the BCL Asia-East 2025 as the reigning Basketball Thai League (BTL) champions, having lost just once in the regular season before sweeping the playoffs. Their Finals performance against TGE Basketball, a 2-0 sweep, reaffirmed their dominance in Thai basketball.
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Players to watch
Emmanuel Ejesu is one of the rising stars of Thai basketball. At just 21 years old, he averaged 15.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game this season and ended up as an All-Star Five at the center position. He also made his national team debut in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, where he contributed 6.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. His athleticism and rim protection make him a major presence on both ends of the floor.
Frederick Lee Jones Lish, the 36-year-old veteran guard, won the MVP award of the BTL - although he was playing for TGE at the time. Now, he's expected to join Hitech for this upcoming competition. A familiar name in Thai basketball, Lish averaged 20.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in last year’s BCL Asia Qualifiers. He continues to be a key contributor for the national team and brings valuable leadership and shot-making to this group.
The supporting cast is strong and experienced, with national team regulars like Nattakarn Muangboon, Nakorn Jaisanuk, and Attapong Leelaphipatkul all expected to feature. Their chemistry and familiarity from both club and country give Hitech an edge in cohesion.
Pachakorn Lertlaokul was a player for Hitech Basketball Club not long ago and was actually an active player on the opposing side of Hitech in the BTL Finals last season. However, the floor general is now expected to be taking the helm as the head coach for Hitech in this upcoming competition - his first official stint as a head coach at this level.
FIBA