NBL champions Adroit win despite relegation for 2026 season

Adroit Basketball Club secured a winning start to the season on Sunday, even as the team faces relegation to the second division for the 2026 campaign. The defending champions' hopes of completing a hat-trick of titles unravelled last season following a probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), which resulted in the club's demotion.

The controversy surrounding the investigation marked a dramatic reversal in fortunes for the NBL Division 1 side, which had dominated the league in previous campaigns. Despite the uncertainty and sanctions hanging over the franchise, Adroit demonstrated their competitive mettle with a strong performance in their first match of the current season.

The relegation decision represents a significant blow to the club's ambitions and represents one of the most high-profile disciplinary actions in recent Singapore basketball history. Adroit will be forced to compete in a lower tier next season as a consequence of the CPIB findings, though the club remains focused on maintaining standards during their final season in the top division.

The team's opening-game triumph signals their determination to finish the current campaign strongly, despite the upheaval stemming from the investigation. As Adroit prepares for the transition to Division 2, their performance in the remaining games of this season will be closely watched by supporters and league observers.