SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - Is Group B bound to become an open race?
That's surely an intriguing question we can't wait to find out the answer to, when the pool crowded by traditional powerhouses duke it out in the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2026 - Division A beginning on Sunday.
The favorite: Japan
Most of the teams competing in the October 4-10 showpiece are utilizing some of the pieces from their FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025 teams and that includes Japan, headlined by star playmaker Miya Takeuchi.
The diminutive PG was eventually crowned Tournament MVP and deservingly so, as she steered the AKATSUKI JAPAN to a 3rd-place finish by beating China, who will also be coming in with players from that tilt.
That event was also held in the city of Seremban and needless to say, Takeuchi & Co. would want to take home the ultimate prize this time, which if they do would give the country their first title since 2008 in Indonesia.
Hungry are the Japanese to get over the hump in the U18 Women's Asia Cup festivities, especially after back-to-back Third-Place finishes in the last two editions. With a cohesive side, will they be able to do so?
The threats: China, Chinese Taipei
One of the most intriguing teams in the upcoming meet shall be China. The 2024 contest held in Shenzhen saw them return to the Final and that's massive - literally and figuratively - thanks to Zhang Ziyu.
The 2.23 M (7'3") center flat-out dominated the competition and eventually won MVP honors, and is now becoming a key cog of the senior team. But without her, who's going to be that star for Team Dragon this time?
The Chinese don't have another 7-footer in their current squad although, as mentioned, they're going with old faces from the U16 Women's Asia Cup last year led by Li Yuanshan, who joined Takeuchi in the All-Star Five.
Also, there are Chinese Taipei, who are raring to go back to the Semi-Finals - and to the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup - after finishing just 6th during the 2024 games following a loss to New Zealand.
The underdog: Malaysia
Needless to say, homecourt advantage is on the side of Malaysia as the U18 Women's Asia Cup gets to be held in their own yard for the first time in 14 years, or since Johor Bahru graciously hosted the event in 2012.
And definitely, Team Harimau plans to make the most out of whatever edge they're having in an attempt to prove that they belong in Division A after nearly getting demoted to the second division back in 2024.
It was actually their debut at the top level after ruling Division B in 2022 and faced relegation after going 0-3 in Group A, but made sure that it won't happen by sending down Indonesia instead in overtime, 67-66.
That was the Malaysians' lone win in Shenzhen yet so crucial. But for sure, they would want to rack up as many as Ws as possible, although it would be interesting to see how they'd fare in this stacked group.
Key matchup
Group B action begins on Sunday with a match featuring Japan and Chinese Taipei, but what many are really waiting for is the meeting between Japan and China, given of course the history they share.
Tip-off time of that clash is on October 6 at 16:30 local time - the penultimate game of Group Phase, actually. Team China are coming in as the favorites, as they have a 13-4 record in their head-to-head duels.
Their most recent U18 Women's Asia Cup bout was during the 2024 Group Phase, with the Chinese cruising to a 97-81 win behind Zhang, who poured 44 points and 14 rebounds to sweep their way into the Semi-Finals.
Now, without a towering presence around, will we witness a closer bout on Tuesday? That we have to see. And another layer to this game is the possibility that it could be a battle for the top seed in Group B.
FIBA