MIES (Switzerland) - There should be no denying that Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers generated so much excitement, given the stories that unfolded during the February games.
From dramatic come-from-behind wins, to historic upsets, and to rousing individual performances, we take a look at the moments that made the previous window memorable.
Which one stood out the most for you?
Comeback kids
Coming back from a big deficit in a game is already a feat per se, but to actually do it twice in a row? China did just that, in the process turning their fortunes around following a rare 0-2 start in the Qualifiers.
The only 16-time FIBA Asia Cup champions rallied from down 15 points down to beat Japan, 87-80, on the road to break through, and then followed it up with a dramatic 100-93 victory over Chinese Taipei in Manila.
That particular matchup saw Team Dragon overhaul an 11-point deficit to avoid history from repeating itself - the game was held in the very same venue where the former last lost to Chinese Taipei some 13 years ago.
This Window 3, China will be taking on the very same foes. Can they beat 'em again?
Historic wins
As tough as those losses were, both Chinese Taipei and Japan didn't finish the second window empty-handed. They were, in fact, the very reasons why Korea got blanked, picking up historic wins in the process.
From sweeping China in Window 1, the Koreans absorbed their first loss at the hands of Chinese Taipei - a 77-65 result, which was Chinese Taipei's first win against Korea in a major FIBA meet since 2009.
Yes, for 17 years, Korea stood tall in their matches. And another years-long mastery would come to a halt in their very next game, when they bowed to the Japanese by way of a 78-72 decision in Okinawa.
Following a thorough check at available records, it was Team Japan's first win against Korea in a major FIBA competition in almost three decades, or since an 89-83 escape during the 1997 FIBA Asia Cup.
Donte's dagger
Donte McGill proved to be the hero Syria needed in tallying their first win of the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers as the seasoned combo guard showed the way in their 78-70 victory over Iraq at Zouk Mikael in Lebanon.
In a notable debut, the former FIBA West Asia Super League campaigner with Al Wahda SC introduced himself by firing 34 big points, alongside 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals - all without a single turnover.
That included a crucial trifecta down the stretch, which pushed their lead to seven in one of the last sequences that took the wind out of their opponent's sails as the protagonists figured in a tight exchange.
He would also be responsible for pushing their lead to a decade's worth not long after at 74-64, as McGill found winger Omar Ildebi open for a triple as well, ultimately enabling the Syrians to come out on top.
Jihad breaks out
It's never easy to operate under so much scrutiny due to the fact that he's carrying a name synonymous to greatness, yet Jihad El Khatib may have just shown how ready he is to embrace the spotlight.
The son of Fadi El Khatib, who's also wearing the same jersey no. 15 of his iconic dad, set the tone in Lebanon's 94-64 conquest of Saudi Arabia at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex - a venue dear to his heart.
The 2.03 M (6'8") forward finished with 12 points, including in the opening period alone as his assertiveness on offense allowed the Cedars to take the 26-17 lead before they broke away not long after for win no. 2
Jihad finished the night with a 4-of-8 clip from the field, including 2-of-4 from the outside, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals for an efficiency of 15 for easily his best performance for the Lebanese to date.
Back-to-back Ws
Showing that their stunner of Lebanon back in Window 1 was no fluke, Qatar followed it up with a 99-73 rout of India at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall in Doha - the same venue where they took the Cedars' scalp.
And three games in, they've already matched their win total in the First Round of the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers - the team went 2-4 to reach the Second Round but failed to chalk up more Ws, eventually bowing out.
All 12 players of Coach Hakan Demir scored at least 2 in their beatdown of the South Asian side, with Brandon Goodwin leading the assault with 23 points together with Tyler Harris (15) and Abdulla Moussa (14).
Their victories thus far are reflective of their progress toward the kind of team they've been building being the 2027 World Cup hosts, and Window 3 should be another chance for the group to grow even better.
FIBA