Taoyuan Pilots 103 – 113 South China AA

South China AA defeated the Taoyuan Pilots 113-103 in an exciting Basketball Champions League Asia group-stage match on May 24, 2026. The visiting team from Hong Kong used a dominant third quarter to take control and never looked back.

Match Summary

South China AA, a historic club with multiple domestic titles, showed its class against a stubborn Taoyuan Pilots side. The game was tightly contested in the first half, with the Pilots using their speed in transition to keep pace. However, a 34-19 third quarter in favor of South China AA turned the contest decisively.

First Half: Back-and-Forth Action

The Pilots opened the game with a 12-5 run, capitalizing on early defensive lapses by South China. The visitors responded with a barrage of three-pointers, tying the game at 27-27 after the first quarter. A 6-0 run early in the second quarter gave South China a 38-32 lead, but the Pilots clawed back to trail just 59-57 at halftime. Guard Lin Chih-chieh kept the Pilots afloat with 15 first-half points.

Third Quarter: South China Takes Over

The turning point came immediately after the intermission. South China AA’s defense tightened, forcing five Pilots turnovers in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Meanwhile, imports Michael Holyfield and Marcus Keene combined for 20 points in the period, pushing the lead to 93-76 entering the fourth. Taoyuan never recovered from that onslaught.

Late Push Falls Short

To their credit, the Pilots refused to quit. They cut the deficit to nine points with three minutes left, but South China’s experience in managing the clock and converting free throws sealed the win. The final score of 113-103 reflected South China’s efficiency on offense.

Player of the Game

Marcus Keene led all scorers with 31 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. He also dished out 8 assists. For the Pilots, Lin Chih-chieh finished with 27 points, while Chen Ying-chun added 18 points and 7 rebounds.

Basketball Champions League Asia Context

The Basketball Champions League Asia is the premier intercontinental club competition in the region, featuring champions from various Asian leagues. South China AA, competing as one of the top clubs from the Hong Kong Basketball League, is seeking to advance to the knockout stage. The Taoyuan Pilots, representing Taiwan’s P. League+, are making their debut in the tournament. This win improves South China AA’s record to 2-1 in Group B, while the Pilots fall to 1-2.

The fast-paced, high-scoring nature of the contest thrilled fans in attendance, and the result sets up a crucial group-stage finale for both teams later in the week.