BEIRUT (Lebanon) - For the first time ever, national teams will have to claim their spots to play at the FIBA Asia Cup through a grueling, competitive phase in the Asia Cup Qualifiers. The process spans across three windows in one calendar year where the top teams in Asia and Oceania have to battle it out for a spot to play in the prestigious event.

This has resulted in entertaining games and spectacular performances to the delight of the fans. However, the Qualifiers have also been more than just an exciting spectacle. It’s also been a platform where national teams are able to be creative and expand their current talent pool.

Take the Philippines, for example.

The current undefeated leaders of Group A have a vast of talent to pick from. While they have fielded proven veterans like RR Pogoy and Kiefer Ravena in the qualifiers, the Philippines have not been shy about reaching out to the a younger batch of players who are hungry to prove themselves.

From players who have had limited opportunities at the senior national team level like Thirdy Ravena to players who made their debuts during these Qualifiers like Dwight Ramos, the Philippines national team program was able to get a better understanding of how to utilize these players in their rotation.

(Dwight Ramos, FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers)

The results should be more than satisfactory for both the program and the fans. Thirdy proved himself ready for the spotlight with a strong performance in Window 1, which surely helped his case in signing a professional contract in Japan a couple of months later. Ramos took his turn in the recent bubble last November, earning the nickname “Mr. Perfect” after going 7-7 from the field for 20 points against Thailand.

India have also taken the Qualifiers as a chance to test their young guns.

As the second most populous country in the world, it is expected that the national team program should have a deep talent pool to pick from. Aside from the usual names like Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, Amjyot Singh, and Amritpal Singh, that national team has also called up a number of youngsters who are expected to have a bright future.

Across both windows of the Qualifiers so far, India has called up five players aged 20 years old or younger. This includes the highly-touted Princepal Singh as well as his fellow former U18 national team teammate Seijin Mathew. At just 19 years old, Sahaij Pratap Singh Sekhon had his moments in the Bahrain bubble as well. Even Amaan Sandhu, at just 18 years old, being called up the team was positive sign.

(Princepal Singh, FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers)

Other teams that tapped into their talents from their youth national team ranks also included Bahrain (Muzamil Hamoda) and Iran (Mohammed Sina Vahedi) who both had promising games to starts their senior national team careers. Hamoda, in particular, has already established himself as a key player for Bahrain while averaging 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game so far.

Some other teams like Lebanon were even able to expand outside of their youth national team pool. In the second window of the Qualifiers played in the Bahrain bubble, they called up 24-year-old Sergio El Darwich for his senior national team debut. The athletic guard had been playing collegiately in the US before getting the chance to play for the Cedars. He didn't disappoint with 11 points and 5 rebounds in his debut.

Expanding the talent pool wasn’t limited to only reaching out to youngsters for other national team programs. Some programs connected with players that already had ties within the basketball circle in the country who were just waiting for a chance to represent the country to come by.

Omar Krayem also impressed in his first two games for Palestine with averages of 19.5 points and 8.0 assists per game.

Indonesia’s Brandon Jawato had himself a smashing debut as well, posting 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.

(Brandon Jawato, FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers)

Both have long been a part of the basketball circle in their respective countries and the Qualifiers provided the national team programs with an opportunity to include them into the expanded talent pool.

With one more window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers left, which other national team programs will use this chance to test drive some new talents? With Asia Cup 2021 Qualification on the line, who else will seize the opportunity to groom and develop up and coming talents for the future?

FIBA