JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – Chinese Taipei have been waiting three years for this moment. Back in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022, they were on the verge of reaching the Quarter-Finals, leading by 9 points with 54 seconds left in the Qualification to Quarter-Finals round, only for their hopes to be shattered by a furious Jordanian comeback capped by Freddy Ibrahim’s logo-range buzzer-beater. That heartbreaker has lingered, and now, fate has delivered a chance for payback.
On Day 7 of the Asia Cup 2025, the stakes could not be clearer: win and advance to face Iran in the Quarter-Finals, or lose and head home. Chinese Taipei enter the game with a 2-1 record, second in Group D after beating the Philippines and Iraq before falling to New Zealand. Jordan, meanwhile, finished third in Group C with a 1-2 mark, their lone win coming against India.
Key matchup: Chen Ying-Chun vs Freddy Ibrahim
Two familiar faces from that 2022 thriller will once again share the court. Chen, Taipei’s floor general, has been efficient and poised all tournament, capable of heating up quickly and breaking open games with his scoring bursts. Ibrahim, Jordan’s playmaker, had a tough outing against China but is eager to bounce back, and he knows how to deliver in high-pressure moments. Whoever dictates the tempo in this backcourt duel could tilt the balance.
X-Factor: Brandon Gilbeck
Chinese Taipei’s tower of power has been a force inside, leading his team in efficiency, rebounds and blocks. However, New Zealand managed to neutralize him in their Day 5 meeting. Against Jordan, who are averaging nearly 10 more rebounds per game than Taipei, Gilbeck’s presence will be critical. If he dominates the glass and protects the rim, it could swing the contest in his team’s favor.
Stats don’t lie
Perimeter shooting will be the big story. Alongside New Zealand, Taipei lead the tournament in triples made at 12.3 per game. Jordan, in contrast, do most of their damage inside, averaging 44.0 points in the paint compared to Taipei’s 24.7. If Taipei’s shooters go cold, Jordan’s interior game could take over.
Previous Asia Cup meetings
Jordan hold a 3-1 all-time record against Chinese Taipei in the FIBA Asia Cup. Their most recent encounter was that unforgettable 2022 knockout game. Taipei’s only win came in 2013 in Manila, while Jordan triumphed in 2007 (Tokushima) and 2003 (Harbin).
Now, history is calling again. Jordan have finished among the top 8 teams in the last three FIBA Asia Cups, and they want to extend that streak. For Chinese Taipei, this is a chance to erase one of their most painful defeats and write a new chapter in their FIBA Asia Cup story.
FIBA