Top 10 reasons to follow the FIBA U18 Asian Championship 2018
NONTHABURI (FIBA U18 Asian Championship) - The FIBA U18 Asian Championship tips off on Sunday and we've got 10 big reasons why you can't miss a minute of the action that is about to go down!
Let’s start with the basic things you need to know about this tournament first!
Where?
Thailand at Stadium29 (Nonthaburi) and Thai-Japanese Stadium (Bangkok)
When?
5-11 August
Watch?
Livestreaming on Facebook and Youtube!
Now to the juicy stuff!
Top 10 reasons to follow the FIBA U18 Asian Championship
1. New format
This will be the first U18 Asian Championship that plays 40 games and will include a Qualification Phase to the Quarter-Finals! The 2nd and 3rd placed teams in each group will have to prove their quality by crossing paths with the 2nd and 3rd placed teams in another group in order to make it to the Final 8 stage. These playoff games will be played on August 8.
There’s nothing like a great do-or-die match with so much at stake among some of the greatest youth talents in Asia!
2. New kids on the block
Australia and New Zealand will be making their long-waited debuts in the U18 level of Asian competition. Both nations have proven to be top-notch competitors so far in the Senior level and the U16 level. Now their U18 squads have an opportunity to leave their own mark.
Will the two rookie nations crash the party or will the get a grand hazing from the other teams?
3. Continuation of dominance
Iran and China are the among the top ranked nations not only in Asia, but in the entire world. Their level of excellence has been on display even from the early stages, especially in the U18 level of competition. Over the past 16 years, the only two countries to win the FIBA U18 Asian Championship are China (5 titles) and Iran (3 titles).
In the 2016 edition of the FIBA U18 Asian Championship, Iran were able to break China’s back-to-back-to-back championship streak and they are certainly looking to repeat in Thailand.
China have been the overlords of the U18 level with 11 championships in total, a lead which should be tough to catch up in the near future for any team.
4. Bring it back
Speaking of dominance, the Philippines also have a significant stamp in FIBA U18 Asian Championship history. They won six of the first seven FIBA U18 Asian Championships, including 5 straight from 1970 to 1978.
As remarkable as their early dominance in the youth level is them being unable to replicate the same level of success since. After 12 straight FIBA U18 Asia Championship tournaments where they finished in at least 4th place up until 1992, the Philippines have yet to reach the final podium in this competition since.
With a star-studded roster including AJ Edu, Kai Sotto, and Dalph Panopio, the Filipinos are hoping to end their 26-year draught.
5. Breakthrough for Korea?
Korea has been a formidable force in the U18 level but have been stuck behind China and Iran since the turn of the millennium. They’ve had an enormous amount of success but their last championship at this level was back in the year 2000. Since then, it’s been a string of close calls with three 3rd place finishes and three 2nd place finishes.
Armed with a trio of Seomoon Sechan, Cha Minseok, and Lee Hyunjung, could this be the year that Korea goes all the way?
6. Land of smiles as host nation
Thailand will serve as the host nation for the FIBA U18 Asian Championship this time, their first time since 1980 and the first time the tournament has been hosted in Southeast Asia since 2000 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The last time Thailand hosted the event 38 years ago, they finished in 3rd place which is their only podium finish up to date. Possibly they are hoping for some similar homecourt magic once again, a result that would certainly fill the nation dubbed as “Land of Smiles” with wide beaming grins.
7. Glimpse into the future
As always, the FIBA U18 Asian Championship gives us a chance to look into the future and see what could possibly be the stars of tomorrow. We’ve seen guys like Makota Heijima, Guo Ailun, Zhou Qi, Chen-Ying Chun, and Wael Arakji among others first make their marks at this level before ascending to stardom.
A number of players in this tournament look to be on the path heading in the same directions such as Tamuri Wigness (AUS), Princepal Singh (IND), and Kai Sotto (PHI). The beauty of this tournament is the chance to witness potential greatness in it’s early stages and this year’s edition is no exception.
8. Budding rivalries
Basketball is all about having fun but sometimes when the stakes are as high as in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship, the tension starts to rise. Fans will be getting a rematch of the 2016 Championship game between Iran and Japan early on as well as a fiery matchup between Philippines and China in the Group Phase. Even newcomers Australia and New Zealand will be clashing off in the first round, bringing their long history of battles from FIBA Oceania with them. The heat will only continue to build up as the tournament progresses, ensuring that there will certainly be more and more rivalries brewing as we go.
9. Breakout stars
While there are already some household names that are familiar among fans and expected to shine, there will also be some players that have flown under-the-radar which are ready to breakout.
There are some widely known players like AJ Edu (PHI), Wang Quanze (CHN), and Dalph Panopio (PHI) who are waiting to finally make there debuts. Then, there are also some players who have been hiding in the dark and working hard to finally get their chance to shine in the spotlight.
Who will be the next star to rise from shadows and become the next international star from Asia?
10. Ball is life
If you are a fan of basketball in any capacity, it's pretty much unimaginable to think why you wouldn't enjoy the FIBA U18 Asian Championship. The tournament will showcase the best and brightest of basketball players in Asia, playing with 100% effort and emotion against each other, fighting for national pride.
It just doesn't get any better than this.
FIBA
