SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - It's an opportunity Iran wouldn't want to take for granted.
The young Team Melli are headed back to the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup-Division B Final but it means more than just returning to the Big Dance, as it is a chance to atone for a heartbreaking defeat two years ago.
"The result in 2023 was a huge motivation for us," admitted head coach Serveh Zarghamyan.
Since the 2017 competitions, winning the Division B means earning a promotion to Division A and the West Asian side only needed one more win from accomplishing as much during the 2023 games in Jordan.
At that time, the Iranians were one of the best teams, having swept their way into the Final - they won all of their three assignments in Group B to clinch the top seed, and then beat Hong Kong, China in the Semi-Finals.
However, the Philippines happened. Like them, the Gilas Girls rolled toward the Final unbeaten as well, first by going perfect in Group A with a similar record before dominating Malaysia in the final four.
They then went on to complete the sweep of the tournament with an 83-60 victory over Iran, leaving the latter a dejected bunch as they bade goodbye to their hopes of reaching the top division.
"Back then, we lost to the speed and individual skills of the Philippines players," said Zarghamyan.
But as some would say, it's either you win or you learn and Team Iran chose to grow from it, with the veteran bench tactician herself leading the way in searching for the best possible talents and bringing them together.
"I personally took part in scouting and selecting talents across the country, and over a 16-month process, I accompanied this team from the early stages of selection through to final preparation for 2025," she said.
"This year, we worked to prepare the team better, so that we would be less surprised by the physical and technical characteristics of other Asian teams," she added.
There's no question that their efforts have been paying off thus far, as Iran have returned to the Final. But of course, all of that would go in vain if they won't be able to achieve their one true goal.
"Our main motivation is to earn promotion to Division A and to instill in our young players the belief that with teamwork and discipline, great goals can be achieved," said Zarghamyan.
Iran are entering the finale hot as they're in the midst of a four-game winning streak - they ended the Group Phase with two wins, beat Malaysia in the Qualification to Semi-Finals, then mauled Hong Kong, China in the SF.
It's worth noting, too, that their last two wins were big thanks to their efforts on defense as they held both the hosts and the East Asian side to 53 points combined, including 20 against the latter. Yes, 20.
But the team they're facing in the Final imposes a huge challenge. It's none other than India, who actually beat them back in Opening Day last Saturday by way of a thrilling 70-67 come-from-behind victory.
The SABA side came into this year's competitions hoping to find redemption, too.
It could be recalled that they swept their way to the Division B title back in 2017 in Bengaluru but their Division A stint proved to be short-lived as they got relegated back in 2022, and has since been trying to go back.
After three years, Team India are back competing in the second level and are just a victory away from returning to the top division, a task that their head coach in Anitha Pauldurai has grown optimistic with.
That, after her team went spotless in Group A, and then outlasted Indonesia in the Semi-Finals.
"The journey is not easy, but the way the girls have been playing gives me a lot of confidence," she said. "If they continue with the same mindset and energy, I'm optimistic we can replicate the success of eight years ago."
So, who will finish their story?
The FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup-Division B Final is set on Friday, September 19, at the Karisma Arena. Game time is at 18:00 local time, after the Third-Place Game between Indonesia and Hong Kong, China set at 15:30.
FIBA