TAIPEI (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Chinese Taipei need to win big in the third window, but forward Huang Tsung-Han is confident they can get the job done in front of their own fans.

The Taipei quintet's first opponents later this month will be the Philippines - a team that narrowly defeated them in the first window of the Asian Qualifiers in Manila. With the overwhelming home-court advantage , however, the 23-year-old Huang believes they can raise their level of play and turn the tables on the Filipinos.

ALL I CAN SAY IS THIS IS MY HOUSE - HUANG TSUNG-HAN

"All I can say is 'THIS IS MY HOUSE,' he declared. "This time, we also have some stronger players joining us. As long as we control our fouls, I believe that we will win this time!"

The 6ft 4in (1.92m) forward acknowledges the importance of having their home fans cheering for them should give them the needed boost.

"Playing at home has always been very important," he explained. "In home games, the whole country will cheer for the players, and it will stimulate the players more. It will strengthen our desire to achieve victory."

The tickets to their two third window games have, in fact, sold out already, which is proof of their own fans' determination to help their team find success. Huang knows this only adds fuel to their fire and will help boost their chances of pulling the rug from under Gilas Pilipinas. 

"The tickets being sold out just means that we cannot lose!" Huang said. "If we want to proceed to the next round, everyone will have to perform well. We need more active defense, and the most important thing is we have to grab those rebounds."

A win will practically secure a spot in the second round for Chinese Taipei, who now sport a 1-win, 3-loss card in Group B. It's a challenging prospect, but with some of their main stars back in the fold, Huang trusts they have the talent to accomplish their mission.

"Although the other two teams got stronger, we also got players from CBA," he said. "I believe we will also become even stronger for the next window."

Among those from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) who may possibly suit up for Chinese Taipei in the third window are former Super Basketball League (SBL) MVPs Chou Yi-Hsiang and Liu Cheng, young guns Chen Ying-Chun and Hu Long-Mao and veterans Tseng Wen-Ting and Yang Ching-Min.

This combination of seasoned players and rising stars can prove to be explosive for the Taipei squad, and Huang - as part of the younger set - is determined to learn as much as he can from the older generation.

"The past generation will always be our super idols, and we keep learning things from them," he said. "I can't say that we will do better than them, but I will say that I will keep challenging myself and do my best to continue to improve."

Chinese Taipei first face the Philippines on 29 June and then finish their first round assignments against Japan on 2 July. Both fixtures will be played at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium. Huang and his teammates need to win at least one more game - especially the one against Japan - to ensure their progress to the second round.

FIBA