MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on my Mind) - With the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship only about a month away, excitement is certainly building up. Many teams have already intensified their training, going abroad for pocket tournaments and scheduling tune-up games with talented teams and pro clubs.

The 2015 FIBA Stankovic Continental Champions' Cup just finished, with China finishing winless in four games. Korea and Chinese Taipei just had a series of tune-up games, too, while Japan had three exhibition games with a Czech Republic selection. Iran, China, Lebanon, and the Philippines are all reportedly headed to Europe for some pocket tournaments, while a few teams are going to Taipei next week for the annual William Jones Cup.

Given how the run-up to the FIBA Asia Championship is gaining steam, one aspect that cannot be overlooked is how several old faces are returning to action for their respective national teams. Naturally, these are some of the best players in Asia, and their mere presence should serve to boost their respective countries’ chances.

Here are some of these returning stars who are definitely poised to shine in the coming 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

Sam Daghlas (Jordan)
The last time Daghlas laces up his sneakers and donned the colors of Al Nashama, he led the team to an historic finish, beating Iran and the Philippines in consecutive elimination games to advance and finish second behind China in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship. Daghlas, at that time, was maybe, overall, the best point guard in Asia. He, after all, has the tools to be successful. Standing 1.95m, he is taller than most other playmakers, but he is just as quick. He has amazing court vision and has a knack for hitting big shots crunch time. Jordan's Serbian coach, Rajko Toroman, has witnessed these qualities first-hand, as he coached the Philippines four years ago when they were eliminated in the Semi-Finals by Daghlas and the Jordanians. This time around, coach Rajko will have Daghlas on his side, and both will surely make the most of their opportunity to do well once again in the biggest basketball tournament in Asia this year.

Zaid Abbas (Jordan)
Aside from Daghlas, one other Jordanian star expected to be a huge boon for the team is this Abbas. The 2.03m half-Palestinian/half-Jordanian forward has spent much of the past few years plying his trade in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He is a perennial double-double threat for any team he plays, which is why he has earned his place as one of the most sought after Asian imports. The last time he played for Jordan, Abbas played a big role and averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds while also shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc. That's the kind of production Jordan lacked in their last few FIBA Asia tournaments, but now that the 32-year old has vowed to return, Jordan should become a vaunted force again in the continent.

Fadi El Khatib (Lebanon)
El Khatib is among the rare Asian players who need no introduction. The man nicknamed 'The Tiger' is perhaps the best basketball player to done the Cedars' jersey, and his legacy is known far and wide. He missed the last two FIBA Asia Championships and was expected to be in international retirement already, but he will return for one last time to help Lebanon reclaim its place among Asia's top tier teams. Like Daghlas and Abbas, Fadi also plays in the CBA, and, judging by his sublime numbers (around 26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 three-pointers per contest), he remains as sharp as he was 10 years ago. If he can be healthy and consistent with his all-around production, he may just enable Lebanon to crack another top four finish.

Joji Takeuchi (Japan)
One half of the famed Takeuchi twins will return to the senior men's team alone as his brother, Kosuke, remains in sick bay. The 2.06m Joji, however, is still expected to do wonders for Team Hayabusa. With naturalized player JR Sakuragi no longer part of the team, Joji is projected to be one of only two true traditional big men for Japan (the other one being Atsuya Ota, also 206cm/6ft 9in). The pressure will be high for him, but he has the talent to be equal to the task. In the previous Japanese NBL season, he normed around 12 points and 8 rebounds while also shooting 54.8% from the field, leading the Hitachi Sunrockers to the NBL’s semifinals. If he can hold his own in the paint against the likes of Hamed Haddadi, Andray Blatche, and Sani Sakakini, perhaps Japan may just go far in the FIBA Asia Championship.

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

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