DONGGUAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - The Dongguan City Basketball Center brimmed with fan energy last week, which was a sign of things to come for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

"There were more than 10,000 spectators in the arena," Geng Yejin, the Chief of Competition Section of the Dongguan Sports Bureau, reported.

The Chinese staked their undefeated win-loss record in that fixture against New Zealand, who were looking to move up in Group A. Unfortunately for the home team, and despite getting 37 points from star big man Yi Jianlian, they fell against the Tall Blacks, 82-73.

For Geng though, this served as an important simulation of the kind of challenges they expect to face when the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 tips off next year.

"It was a good test of competition execution and using the equipment," he said. "It also helped the technical staff get familiar with the operation. This was an opportunity for all the departments from the LOC to work together in such a high level competition."

What impressed Geng the most, though, was the fact that fans really came out to support the national team, and this was something also seen all throughout the region as the second window commences all over Asia.

Over in Manila, around 11,000 fans saw Gilas Pilipinas hold off Japan for an 89-84 win. In Amman, the Prince Hamza Stadium was sold out as Al Nashama disposed of Syria, 87-62. Likewise the Japanese national team played in front of a capacity crowd at the Yokohama International Arena.

This was a welcome trend for Asian basketball as fan support and attendance continued to surge in the second window, and with higher stakes in the offing, the future windows should have even stronger fan engagement.

Geng acknowledged this, describing how Chinese fans have been following the developments leading up to next year's FIBA Basketball World Cup with increasing degrees of anticipation.

"From the promotion campaign of the Asian Qualifiers, citizens have started knowing and following the details of the FIBA Basketball World Cup," he said. "They really look forward to watching high level basketball competition at home and seeing famous basketball stars come to Dongguan to play."

FIBA