MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on My Mind) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers are about to tip off, and, boy, there are so many storylines to make the games gripping and exciting.

For this piece, I will detail some of the most compelling storylines cutting across a number of the games of the opening window of the Asian Qualifiers.

Revenge is best served cold
The entire FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers begin with the game pitting Korea against New Zealand, and the Tall Blacks will be looking for payback. Korea beat New Zealand not once but twice in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, including upending the Kiwis in the battle for third place. New Zealand did not have a full complement of their best players, though, so Korea will face a much stronger crew this time around. Needless to say, the Tall Blacks are raring to show the Koreans their true quality in Wellington.

In the FIBA Asia Cup 2015 in Changsha-Hunan, Japan found themselves losing two times to the Philippines, with their loss in the Semi-Finals stinging the most. The two senior teams have not met since then, and those defeats are still quite fresh in the minds of the Japanese, especially for veteran big man Joji Takeuchi, who vowed that this time the Akatsuki Five will get the job done at home. That will be easier said than done, though, what with Gilas Pilipinas being led by no less than Andray Blatche, Jayson Castro and 4-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.

When India faced Syria at the Asia Cup 2017, the Young Cagers looked very much in control, leading by 16 points at halftime, 51-35. The Syrians, however, turned the tables on India in the second half and used a strong finishing kick in the payoff period to pull the rug from under the Young Cagers, 87-78. India are looking for payback this time around, but it may prove to be a tall task without key players Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Amjyot Singh.

Riveting Rivalry
Aside from revenge, rivalries that have been built through the decades will come to fore in these Qualifiers. One such age old rivalry is between the Philippines and Chinese Taipei, both of which have a rich history of success at the Asian level dating back to the first Asia Cup in 1960. More recently, the two countries have made some significant strides and have traded wins. Taipei beat the Philippines at the FIBA Asia Cup 2013 in Manila and FIBA Asia Challenge 2016, while the Filipinos got the better end of the result at the FIBA Asia Challenge 2014 in Wuhan.

Over in West Asia, one rivalry to watch is between neighbors Jordan and Lebanon. Al Nashama and the Cedars are two of the most successful WABA countries ever, with both having played at the world level. Jordan have also finished on the Asia Cup podium twice, while Lebanon have done it thrice. Each has also won the FIBA Asia Challenge once, further underscoring their lofty status in the region and their rivalry as two of the strongest West Asia teams outside of the mighty Iranians. The last time they met was at the FIBA Asia Cup 2015, where Lebanon squeaked past Jordan, 80-76, thanks to 20 points from shooting guard Amir Saoud.

New Blood
Lastly, it goes without saying that the Qualifiers will provide a great opportunity for new stars to shine. Among them is the Philippines' own Kiefer Ravena. He was chosen as one of the top picks in this year's PBA Draft, and he is expected to be one of the national team's future pillars. The Qualifiers may just be Ravena's coming out party, and there is little doubt he will provide a big spark for Gilas Pilipinas.

The Webster brothers of New Zealand are bound to turn a lot of heads, too. Neither Tai nor Corey was present when New Zealand played at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, but both will be around when the Tall Blacks aim for two wins at the Qualifiers. Tai and Corey have the talent to take over any game, and it would be exciting to see them finally don their black kits on a FIBA Asia court!

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

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