Kiefer Ravena (PHI)
14/09/2017
Enzo Flojo's Asia On My Mind
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Who can we expect to break out in a big way at FIBA Asia Champions Cup?

MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on My Mind) - Seeing action at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017 is a golden opportunity to bask in the spotlight, and here are some guys who will probably break out in a big way.

Sun Tonglin (China Kashgar)

With Zhou Qi staying Stateside to play for the Houston Rockets, foreign player Andray Blatche needs a new sidekick up front, and Sun Tonglin seems to be the prime candidate to take that spot. The 24-year-old center was the team's third-best rebounder in last year's Champions Cup right behind, you guessed it, Blatche and Zhou. This time around, the 2.06m big man should hog a lot of the minutes alongside the hulkinh 2.08m American. If Sun can hold his own against some of the more experienced centers of the other teams, China Kashgar should be in really good shape to defend their title.

Teerawat Chanthachon (Mono Vampire Thailand)

Let's gooooo!!! don't look down #keepgoing#65 🏀🏀🏀

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Speaking of big men, one guy to watch out for is this Thai rising star. At just 22 years of age, Chanthachon is still young enough to be in university, but this year has been huge for him as the versatile 1.91m center-forward has been a cornerstone not just for Mono Vampire but for the Thailand national team, too. He was one of the most reliable Thai players at the SEABA Championship 2017 in Manila, averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54% from the field, and his presence for Mono Vampire here will be crucial as they aim to advance past the group phase.

Yadwinder Singh (ONGC India)

Without triple towers Amritpal Singh, Amjyot Singh and Satnam Singh, India will field a relatively short roster at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, but veteran campaigner Yadwinder Singh will still be around try and shore up their frontline. At 1.98m, Yadwinder is not exactly the most imposing player we will see at the tournament, but his experience and versatility make him a threat on both ends of the floor. Last year, he was sidelined with an injury early in the Champions Cup, but now that he's healthy, Yadwinder should be able to make a much bigger splash for ONGC.

Lin Yi-Hui (Dacin Tigers Chinese Taipei)

Lin has been with Dacin since 2004, and he has seen the team through both the best and worst of times. The 31-year-old wingman was also one of their most reliable performers last season as the Tigers went all the way to annex only their second SBL title in history. Lin put up around 10 points, 3 boards and 2 triples per contest for Dacin, proving to be one of their vital cogs. He will have to be on point here as well as the Taipei quintet are going to be hard-pressed to advance to the Quarter-Finals, especially as they are playing without top scorer and national team superstar Chou Yi-Hsiang. This means the onus will be on Lin to step up big time.

Kiefer Ravena (Chooks To Go Philippines)

Second-generation basketball talent Ravena has played for the Philippines national team a handful of times but never at the senior level of FIBA Asia. This, in effect, will be his big debut, and it will be very exciting to see if the man called "The Phenom" can live up to the hype. The 1.85m guard was impressive for Gilas Pilipinas at the Jones Cup 2017, recording around 10 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal per game. Whether that kind of production can translate to the Champions Cup is a big question, but there is no doubt Ravena, who is projected to be a cornerstone of the Philippines' future hopes, will not be short on bravado and confidence as he pits his scoring and playmaking chops against some of the elite players Asia has to offer.

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.

Enzo Flojo

Enzo Flojo

Enzo Flojo, one of Manila’s top basketball bloggers, always has Asian basketball on his mind. His biggest basketball dream? To see an Asian team as a legitimate gold medal contender in world basketball. He believes it will happen in his lifetime. If you have big basketball dreams like he does, then you’re in the right place.