PREVIEW: Same cast, or not? Here's what to look out for in Group F

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Four teams are hoping to book return trips by the end of the FIBA Asia Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers' Second Round on February 24-26.

Thailand, Guam, Malaysia, and Hong Kong all look to make it back to the Asia Cup Qualifiers, each of them motivated to settle some unfinished business after falling short of reaching last year's tournament proper in Indonesia.

But out to earn their Asia Cup Qualifiers spots as well are Singapore and Mongolia, which will have home court advantage as the First Round head-turners are hosting Group F action at the UG Arena in Ulaanbaatar.

Group F

0/9 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Thailand	2	2	0	100	212	183	29	106	91.5	4
2	Guam	2	2	0	100	149	123	26	74.5	61.5	4
3	Hong Kong	2	1	1	50.0	138	117	21	69	58.5	3
4	Mongolia	2	1	1	50.0	199	201	-2	99.5	100.5	3
5	Malaysia	2	0	2	0	170	197	-27	85	98.5	2
6	Singapore	2	0	2	0	109	156	-47	54.5	78	2

24 February 2023

14:00 (GMT+8) - Malaysia vs Singapore
16:30 (GMT+8) - Thailand vs Guam
19:00 (GMT+8) - Mongolia vs Hong Kong

25 February 2023

14:00 (GMT+8) - Malaysia vs Guam
16:30 (GMT+8) - Thailand vs Hong Kong
19:00 (GMT+8) - Mongolia vs Singapore

26 February 2023

14:00 (GMT+8) - Hong Kong vs Malaysia
16:30 (GMT+8) - Singapore vs Thailand
19:00 (GMT+8) - Guam vs Mongolia

Thailand are coming into the Second Round as the hottest team of the tourney after winning all four of their assignments back in November, but will surely be put to the test as they'll be facing teams they haven't fought.

Their first opponent will be Guam, who are among the highly-touted teams of the tournament after beating Hong Kong and Singapore in the First Round -- and will likely parade the same team that accomplished the sweep in India.

Not to be overlooked, of course, is the home team, who surprised the region following an impressive campaign in the previous round that saw them conquer three of their four assignments for a FIBA seniors debut to remember.

It will be intriguing to see, too, if Malaysia can continue their winning ways. It could be remembered that the Harimau started out with a pair of losses, but beat Tahiti and Vietnam to catch the last bus to the Second Round.

The Malaysians will raise the curtains of Group F action against the Singaporeans on the 24th at 14:00 local time (GMT+8).

STARS TO WATCH

Freddie Lish, THA

It would be exciting to see how Freddie Lish performs this time after an amazing First Round that further proved why he's one of Thailand's best.

The 34-year-old averaged 24.0 points on 50-percent shooting from beyond the arc -- fourth-best in the Pre-Qualifiers -- with 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in 26 minutes as he powered his side's four-game sweep.

New to the FIBA competitions, Lish dropped 30 points on eight triples to captain their 109-105 comeback victory over Mongolia to chalk up win no. 4.

Sanchir Tungalag, MGL

Sanchir Tungalag's legacy in Mongolian hoops is secured but the local legend would surely want to add to it by leading the nation to the Asia Cup.

And the First Round is indicative of how much he wants it. The 33-year-old winger posted per-game averages of a fifth-best 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists to help steer the Blue Wolves to a 3-1 record.

Tungalag owns the Pre-Qualifiers' scoring record of 36 points, which he set in their 96-92 win over Malaysia -- witnessed by over 3,000 fans at the UG Arena.

RETURNEE TO WATCH

Tyler Lamb, THA

Thailand are leaving no stones unturned in their bid to go back to the Asia Cup Qualifiers by adding Tyler Lamb into the pool for the Second Round.

Likely to be part of the final lineup, it marks the explosive guard's first FIBA stint since the opening round of the previous ACQ back in February of 2020, where he had 28 points and 12 rebounds in a near-upset of Korea in Seoul.

FIBA