JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Is this China's time?
That has become the biggest question fans and observers alike are asking - and can't wait to find the answer to - as the traditional powerhouse is set to challenge Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Final on Sunday.
Game time is set at 19:00 local time at the King Abdullah Sports City, with much of the attention drawn to a side that has quite become the people's team for the journey they've been treading in this city thus far.
Head coach Guo Shiqiang himself is aware that Team Dragon has been going through rough sails in recent years, and so it's imperative for him and his whole squad to do their part in reclaiming glory for their country.
That's why winning the continental crown isn't just about ending a decade-long drought nor adding competition title no. 17 to their collection; it would also be a solid proof of their efforts to steady the ship.
"We represent a nation and [we want to] showcase Chinese basketball spirit," he said.
"As everybody knows, Chinese basketball is experiencing a slump, so we're trying to help the Chinese national team rise up," added Guo, who was tasked to man the helm again during the recent Qualifiers.
This present-day China has indeed shown that spirit. With only three players equipped with prior Asia Cup experience and the other nine new to this, the crew has been nothing short of impressive thus far.
Guo's charges swept Group A, took care of business against Korea in the Quarter-Finals, and then frustrated New Zealand as they took down the 2022 bronze medalists in the Semi-Finals to reach the Big Dance.
That, of course, has fanned hopes of striking gold for the first time since 2015.
"It signifies a significant breakthrough, as well as confidence in pursuing more important goals and dreams in the future," said Zhao Rui when asked what it would mean for him should they take home the ultimate prize.
Also serving as another interesting storyline to the highly anticipated encounter is that China are standing in the way of the Aussies' bid of writing their own history in FIBA's flagship event in the continent.
The Boomers are coming in as the defending two-time champions and that is why the talk surrounding them has been about their aspirations of achieving a rare 'three-peat,' which hasn't been done in this tilt for years.
In case you've been wondering, the last time that a team won the Asia Cup thrice in a row was in 2003 in the city of Harbin. That team? China, when they won the third of four consecutive gold medal finishes.
Needless to say, they want to foil Team Australia's bid at greatness, although it's not lost on the entire unit how tough it would be in trying to upend a group that has yet to lose in the quadrennial tournament.
Yes, since joining the Asia Cup in 2017 in Lebanon, the hoopers from Down Under have yet to taste a loss. Including their record in the current contest, they're entering the Final unbeaten after 17 games thus far.
Their five wins in as many games this year is made up of a clean three-game sweep of Group A, followed by an ouster of the Philippines in the Quarter-Finals before they showed Iran the door in the Semi-Finals.
But just like China, winning the whole thing isn't all about the rare 'treble.'
Australia are also in the midst of a transition after parting ways with the renowned Brian Goorjian after the last Olympics, with Adam Caporn then given the keys to the program after serving as a deputy for a while.
They've brought in a youth-laden squad to Jeddah as well, with Xavier Cooks, Jack McVeigh, and Will Magnay serving as some of their only few veterans to guide and set good examples to the younger ones.
No doubt that the Boomers' way has been effective within this very group, and winning the coveted 2025 Asia Cup trophy would mean the world to Caporn and his men as they all spearhead the next generation.
"It means a lot. This is a tough tournament," he reflected,
"We've got guys that have poured a lot into it. We're really excited for a tough game ... we're competitive and we're representing Australia and we're trying to put our best foot forward and win this tournament," he added.
So, whose legacy shall live on? That we have to wait and see.
FIBA