JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – Keisei Tominaga knows how quickly momentum can shift at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. Two games in, he has been one of the tournament’s most reliable scoring threats, averaging 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 triples per game. Yet the 24-year-old guard also left Japan shorthanded in their last outing, fouling out in a narrow loss to Iran.
"It’s definitely a tough one," Tominaga admitted. "I feel bad for the team that I couldn’t stay with them until the end of the game. But we’ve got another game coming up, so we’ve got to keep our heads up."
That next game comes on Day 6 against Guam, with both teams at 1-1 in Group B. The winner at King Abdullah Sports City will likely secure second place in the group and a potentially stronger position heading into the Final Phase.
This is Tominaga’s second Asia Cup, having made his senior national team debut at the 2022 edition. Then, he was a rising talent with a quick release and a knack for scoring in bunches. Now, he is a central piece of Japan’s offense, a marksman whose three-point shooting can break games open.
"It's exciting to be here at the Asia Cup again," he said. "We’re trying to get win it all, we’re trying to get the championship. You know, winning here would be huge. Japanese basketball is getting bigger right now, and this will help it grow even more."
Against Guam, Tominaga’s duel with their perimeter talents like Jericho Cruz and fellow B.League player Takumi Simon will be key. His ability to space the floor will free up captains Yudai Baba and Josh Hawkinson to operate, while his defensive energy will be just as important in containing Guam’s backcourt.
For Japan to bounce back, they will need more than just Tominaga’s shooting touch. They will need his composure. And after the sting of their last loss, there is little doubt he will be locked in.
FIBA