JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - It couldn't get any more poetic for Chen Ying-chun and Chinese Taipei.
The crew from East Asia on Monday ousted Jordan from further contention in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 to reach the Quarter-Finals - and exact vengeance against the same team that broke their hearts three years ago.
"We just didn't want that thing happening again," the seasoned point guard offered moments after their 78-64 victory over the Falcons at the King Abdullah Sports City. "Everybody was super locked in for 40 minutes."
Chen was referring to their Qualification to Quarter-Finals encounter during the 2022 Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. Chinese Taipei were on their way to advancing to the final eight, but fate had other plans.
Freddy Ibrahim knocked down a wild heave from near-halfcourt to beat the final buzzer, and the Jordanians went on to steal the win by way of a 97-96 decision in easily one of the craziest endgames of that event.
That shot inevitably went viral on social media and while that served as a memory to keep for the West Asian contenders and their faithful, that, of course, haunted the losing side, especially the 32-year-old.
Because Chen was part of that Chinese Taipei team. He was their top performer in that game, too, with 20 points on a perfect 11-for-11 shooting from the free throw line alongside 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
But as destiny would have it, both squads found themselves on a collision course in the exact same stage three years later, and so the tormented one made sure to settle some unfinished business.
And Chen himself played a crucial role in their revenge game.
With his team only leading narrowly entering the final stretch, the Beijing Ducks playmaker swished in back-to-back three-pointers to give themselves a comfortable 69-60 lead with only 4:28 remaining.
Chinese Taipei would no longer face any major threat after that, eventually showing Team Jordan the exit doors while they successfully returned to the Quarter-Finals after over a decade of hoping and waiting.
The last time they reached that phase was in 2013 in Manila, Philippines, where they actually went all the way to the Semi-Finals before ultimately finishing at fourth in the contest conquered by Hamed Haddadi and Iran.
Chen hit a total of three treys and shot a solid 6-of-11 from the field, on top of 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. And all that, he said, was simply a by-product of his confidence to never shy away from the moment.
"Especially down the stretch, it's all about confidence, it's all about trusting," said Chen, who also dropped 34 big points behind six threes in their repeat against the Philippines back on Opening Day last August 5.
"For me, I've been through a lot of these situations. And I think when there is an open shot, when the shot comes, I'll just be confident to take it, and won't hesitate," added the former youth team standout.
Now that they have exorcised the ghost of the past, Chinese Taipei will have their sights focused on the Quarter-Finals, where they will be taking on Team Melli on Wednesday, August 13, at 19:00 local time.
A quick check at the records would show that the Iranians are coming in as the favorites, having won all of their seven meetings thus far in FIBA play. This would also mark their first meeting since the 2013 Semi-Finals.
Can Chinese Taipei snap that long of a skid?
Chen, though, could only promise one thing.
"We have to really lock in on this game, and do a really good job scouting and to know each of their players. We'll just keep fighting and play as a group, play together, and fight for every possession," he said.
FIBA