PASAY CITY (Philippines) - The same teams that have shaken up Group B will be crossing paths as China and Chinese Taipei face off for the first time in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The game is on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, with the both teams out to keep their winning ways after scoring upsets against formerly unbeaten teams to make it an exciting Window 2 opener last Thursday.
China's Redemption
China came from as much as 15 points down before carving out an 87-80 victory over Japan at the Okinawa Arena, with Hu Jinqiu and the usual providers coming through with inspired performances.
In the locker room, I told my players that we have to trust each other, trust our team, trust our basketball.
"We have a great tradition in the national team from the old generation, so we have to believe in each other. We need to pick up the intensity, and guard the opponent according to their personnel. That's how we came back," Coach Guo added as he lauded their second-half surge to erase a 47-33 halftime deficit.
Chinese Taipei's Surprise
Chinese Taipei, on the other hand, took control of the match early and never took their foot off the gas pedal en route to dealing Korea a 77-65 defeat, with the duo of Brandon Gilbeck and Benson Lin showing the way.
Not only did they score their first wins after going 0-2 back in the opening window, but they spoiled as well the plans of their foes to punch themselves an early flight to the Second Round that commences in August.
It was an amazing game. We played one of the best games ever since I'm here.
Needless to say, both China and Chinese Taipei would want to finish this window with a two-game sweep to bolster their own bids of advancing to the next phase, but only one of them will leave Manila with the W and the momentum.
Head-to-head
Which one of them can get the job done? Looking at the record books, history has long been in favor of China, having beaten Chinese Taipei a total of 15 times in major FIBA competitions.
Here's a rundown of their last meetings:
Year | Competition | Winning team | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|
2023 | FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers | China | 97-56 |
2023 | FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers | China | 94-58 |
2022 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 95-80 |
2021 | FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers | China | 115-66 |
2021 | FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers | China | 91-73 |
2013 | FIBA Asia Cup | Chinese Taipei | 96-78 |
2009 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 101-83 |
2005 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 76-58 |
2003 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 121-61 |
2001 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 100-71 |
1999 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 105-51 |
1995 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 52-42 |
1993 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 87-67 |
1991 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 90-70 |
1989 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 92-67 |
1987 | FIBA Asia Cup | China | 85-73 |
15 wins for China, but that one clash in 2013 stands out.
Yes, Chinese Taipei had already beaten the traditional powerhouse once, a 96-78 victory during the Asia Cup 2013 Quarter-Finals to advance to the Semi-Finals and eventually ending up at 4th.
The venue? Also at the Mall of Asia Arena, when the Philippines hosted the prestigious continental competition ultimately conquered by icon Hamed Haddadi and Iran.
Thirteen years later and the proud programs are crossing paths yet again, coincidentally in a place they had competed against other in the past. Chinese Taipei, of course, are hoping that history would repeat itself in their favor.
Yet, it's not lost on them that it won't in any way be easy, especially now that they're bound to take on a China squad hungry to reassert themselves back as top-tier competitors after hitting some strides recently.
But Chinese Taipei are going to be as ready as they can be.
"We're looking forward to our next game," offered Ray Chen, who's been one of Chinese Taipei's more important players for years now.
"We're gonna work just as hard, if not harder. It's an important game as well."
FIBA