TEHRAN (FIBA Asia Challenge 2016) - Many people expect Chinese Taipei to have a pretty good showing in the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016, especially after they barged into the Final of the 2014 edition of the tournament. Even without iconic Taipei players like Lin Chih-Chieh, Tien Lei, Lu Cheng-Ju and Tseng Wen-Ting, this iteration of Chinese Taipei remains a strong podium contender. Star big man Quincy Davis, in fact, believes this is the team of the future for his adoptive country.

“I think they are the future of the national team,” Davis said after they beat India on Day 2. “This championship will help them learn more and improve.”

Chinese Taipei trounced India in their Group B match last night, 90-66. Not surprisingly, Davis was at the forefront of Taipei’s assault. The 2.03m center asserted his might in the paint and showed no hesitation in going to work against the Indian frontline. The naturalized American tallied 18 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots while also shooting 9/14 from the field.

“India are a strong and big team,” Davis remarked after their victory. “But I think we did a good job of shutting them down.”

Other Taipei players who impressed in that triumph were Liu Cheng and Chou Yi-Hsiang, both of whom have been named Most Valuable Players of Taipei’s Super Basketball League (Liu in 2014 and Chou in 2016). They have been trumpeted as the new generation of Taipei stars, and Davis believes it is this good mix of youngsters and veterans that makes his team dangerous.

“Ours is a good team because it’s a mix of experience and youth,” Davis says. “The young player we have are all good players.”

This balance of experience and talent has people back in Taipei expecting big things from the team, and even Davis himself acknowledges that making it back to the tournament Final is something they believe they can do.

“If we play well, we have a good chance of making the Final” Davis says. “But we have to improve and accelerate our performances.”

FIBA