JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Competing without the reigning Most Valuable Player is without a doubt the biggest concern of fans and pundits alike for Lebanon in the much anticipated FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
Wael Arakji has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury he sustained with Al Riyadi during the BCL Asia Quarter-Finals last June, indeed a massive blow to the Cedars' championship bid after a runner-up finish in 2022.
Without him this time, some can't help but wonder how far the team can go, particularly if they'd be able to at least replicate that magical run in Jakarta, which ended with the country nabbing its first medal since 2007.
Pressure is, needless to say, at a high for Team Lebanon's remaining cogs, but past campaigns without Arakji show that they could do just fine in the August 5-17 showpiece to be played in this sprawling Saudi Arabian city.
And one need not dig that deep to see as much.
The Cedars competed in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Spain last year and exceeded expectations. Even without the lefty PG, they made it all the way to the Semi-Finals before finishing fourth.
Sure, they fell short of booking a ticket to Paris but there's no question whatsoever that they made a lot of noise in Valencia, and showing the way for that squad was another star guard in Sergio El Darwich.
Himself a national team mainstay, the 28-year-old was among that tilt's top 10 scorers with 16.3 points per game on 42.9-percent shooting from the floor, and also averaged 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and a steal.
It's easily his best campaign on a personal level for El Darwich but he's always been an important figure for the program ever since, having served as one of its more reliable scorers since joining Lebanon in 2021.
The 1.94 M (6'4") swingman has played in a total of six FIBA competitions with the men's squad and averaged in double figures for four times. In the other two, you wonder? He never produced below 9.7 points.
For sure, he'd be reprising that role of being a bucket-getter come the 2025 Asia Cup, or most likely fill in a bigger one considering that one of his long-time teammates - and his good pal, of course - won't be around.
What's sure, though, is that he won't shy away from the moment.
Add to that the renewed confidence he has following a season to remember in the recently concluded Lebanese D1 Men's Basketball Championship, which was so impressive that he garnered attention from other leagues.
El Darwich bagged home league MVP Honors after helping Beirut Club reach the Final Four behind all-around averages of 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and a block per outing.
Soon, he'd be taking his talents to the Sendai 89ers of the B.League in Japan, giving Lebanese fans another reason to cheer about as one of their very own is set to represent the country in another league.
Still, there is the Asia Cup to be played, and that should give the Japanese audience another platform to witness what they all could expect from the proud son of Dekwaneh as he leads the perennial contenders.
Exciting times ahead, for sure.
FIBA