Second window performance should catapult Taipei to next level says Davis

TAIPEI (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Chinese Taipei split their second window matches, but naturalized center Quincy Davis chooses to see the silver lining in that.

"I hope this catapults us to the next level," he said after their loss to Australia. "We still need to improve the little things like boxing out and focusing on free throws and we will treat this as a lesson for us heading into the future."

Chinese Taipei lost to Australia in the first window at home by 38 points, but they surprisingly put up a much tougher stand on the road in Melbourne, losing by only 20, which was the smallest winning margin so far for the Boomers in the Asian Qualifiers. Davis attributes that to being more familiar with how the Australians play.

"We want to be better than we did the first game," he said. "We did not know what to expect the first time we played them. Now we knew they were going to be physical, and that's what happened. They took advantage of their size and speed, as well. We tried to hang in there as best as we could, but I'm still proud of the team."

Davis and Co. hung tough throughout their match with Australia, staying within striking distance most of the game, though they were never able to mount a big rally in the second half. It was in stark contrast to their breakthrough win on 22 February against East Asia rivals Japan, which also happened on the road in Tokyo.

"Winning over Japan was very special," Davis explained. "It was definitely important and emotional to come out with our 0-2 record and finally get that win."

Their victory over the Japanese carried Chinese Taipei to third place in Group B, and, at least for now, they hold the edge when it comes to qualifying for the second round. They open their third window campaign in June with a home game against the Philippines - a team they feel they can beat.

"We felt like we gave up a win against the Philippines in the first window," he shared. "We felt like we had a real strong chance to get those guys."'

Chinese Taipei held an early lead against the Filipinos last November and it was a tight game all throughout. Davis and his teammates, however, just fell short in the endgame against the home team. If they do manage to pull the rug from under the Philippines in the third window, however, it would pretty much secure their place in the second round and bolster their odds to earn a berth in the FIBA Basketball World Cup next year in China. Davis knows it's an improbable feat, but it's also something that would give a huge boost to basketball in the country.

"It would mean a lot for a country like Chinese Taipei to qualify," he explained. "It would certainly keep the national team in the news and keep us in the awareness of the country. That's how we get more people taking this more seriously."

Davis knows, though, that if Taipei are to reach that level, he'll need a lot of help, especially from the up-and-coming guys like Chen Ying-Chun - otherwise known as Ray Chen - who was splendid against Australia and Japan.

"Ray Chen plays so well and sets the bar higher for us," he said. "I think his having studied in the States and being exposed to the brand of basketball there helped his game."

Chinese Taipei will play Gilas Pilipinas on 29 June before facing Japan on 2 July in a back-to-back home stand to end the Asian Qualifiers first round.

FIBA