Delayed FIBA Asia Cup finally tips off
Twice postponed previously, the FIBA Asia Cup finally tips off on July 12 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Initially set for Aug. 3 to 15, 2021, the Asia Cup was postponed for Aug. 17 to 29 of the same year to avoid conflict with the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo which was rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Cup was deferred for a second time to July 12 to 24 this year.
In the Asia Cup, 16 qualified teams, divided in four groups, will compete for the right to be hailed as the continent’s best.
Tournament format calls for the teams playing their group mates once in opening round with the group winners advancing directly to the quarterfinals while the runners-up play third-placed teams in playoff games to advance to the knockout quarterfinals. The semifinals and finals ensue.
Playing in Group A are defending champion and world number three Australia, joined by Jordan (39th), Saudi Arabia (80th) and host Indonesia (95th).
The Boomers will only have one player returning from their 2017 champion team in Mitch McCarron but will be bannered by National Basketball Association campaigner Thon Maker and young players Sam Froling and Tyrese Proctor.
Jordan, led by veteran Zaid Abbas, remains to be a threat in the Asia Cup while the Saudis look to do well in their tournament return since 2013.
A lot is riding for Southeast Asian champion Indonesia in the tournament as its qualification to the FIBA World Cup next year depends on the team advancing to the quarterfinals of the Asia Cup. Indonesia, along with the Philippines and Japan, are co-hosts for the 2023 World Cup.
In Group B are world number 29 China and 30 Korea, along with Chinese Taipei (69th) and Bahrain (106th).
China is the winningest in Asia Cup history, taking the title 16 times, the latest in 2015. Two-time champion Korea, for its part, would not make the trip to the World Cup next year but is out to do well in the about-to-start tournament. Chinese-Taipei looks promising with its backcourt tandem of Lin Ting-Chien and Chen Ying-Chun while Bahrain tries to go deeper in the tournament led by naturalized player Wayne Chism.
Group C play has Iran (23rd), Japan (38th), Kazakhstan (68th) and Syria (83rd).
Iran, second in rankings in Asia, is the team to beat in the group, led by veteran and former NBA player Hamed Haddadi. Japan, bannered by Toronto Raptors player Yuta Watanabe, could make a serious run in the group. Kazakhstan has been steadily climbing the Asian rankings of late and may make waves in the tournament. Syria, too, should not be discounted.
In Group D are New Zealand (27th), the Philippines (34th), Lebanon (54th) and India (82nd).
The All Blacks were steady heading into the Asia Cup and are expected to be one of the top teams in the tournament. Lebanon is to parade a young team but is seen to be competitive. India, too, is going for youth and may spring some prices in Jakarta as it continues to build its legs.
A lot of focus is directed to Gilas Pilipinas back here at home after a series of disappointing outcomes of late, including how it lost the championship in the Southeast Asian Games to Indonesia.
Injuries have beset the Philippines in the lead-up to the Asia Cup but the team has vowed to still go all-out.
The team will be composed of brothers Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, SJ Belangel, Ray Parks Jr., Francis Lopez, Kevin Quiambao, RJ Barrientos. Gian Chiu, Carl Tamayo, Poy Erram and Will Navarro.
FIBA Asia Cup 2022 proceedings kick off on July 12 with matches between Chinese-Taipei and Bahrain in Group B, Jordan and Australia (Group A), Saudi Arabia and Indonesia (Group A) and China and Korea (Group B).
Venue is Istora Senayan in Jakarta.
