JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Redemption will be China's main objective heading into the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
The competition's winningest team are looking to finally snap out of what has become a lengthy funk for the traditional powerhouse after Quarter-Final exits in the event's last two editions.
While reaching the continental conclave's final eight serves as an achievement per se for others, that's way below the standard Team Dragon have set for themselves, being the tournament's only 16-time titlists.
Since joining the tourney in 1975, the Chinese only missed the Play-Offs four times.
But the ongoing gold medal drought is easily their longest ever. It's been a decade since they last won the chip, or since going 9-0 in 2015 in Changsha - capped by a 78-67 victory over the Philippines in the Final.
It should also be noted that the program has had disappointing showings in other international contests, including the last two FIBA Basketball World Cups.
With Asia's biggest basketball event coming up, can Team China reclaim glory?
Looking at the signs, Coach Guo Shiqiang's charges could be bound for a promising campaign ahead. The 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers saw them finish atop Group C with a 5-1 record, ending their run with three wins in a row.
Needless to say, they want to carry over that success in Jeddah. But it's not lost on them that it's easier said than done, especially with the other teams in the August 5-17 showpiece hungry to author their own stories.
Particularly in Group C where they belong. Mo Alsuwailem & Co. are drawn in that pool and the hosts are surely out to submit the best possible showing they can to give the home fans an Asia Cup to remember.
It's the competition's first staging in Saudi since 1997 but the program's motivation stems from their desire to complete a redemption arc of their own after embarking on a long journey to get in this position.
This is actually their second straight appearance and 10th overall but the trek started all the way back to 2018, beginning in the GBA Pre-Qualifiers to eventually reach the Asia Cup proper in 2022 in Indonesia.
Sure, they're the hosts and qualifying for 2025 was no longer a concern but the Saudis still made sure to perform and win in the Qualifiers, ultimately finishing at no. 2 in Group D with a 4-2 record.
Taking the no. 1 spot in that group were Jordan, who, coincidentally, are also situated in Group C and are viewed by some as a legitimate contender after going all the way to the Semi-Finals back in 2022.
Unbeaten in six outings during the recent Qualifiers, the Falcons will miss Ahmad Al-Dwairi due to an injury but remains a threat as they still have star guards Freddy Ibrahim and Dar Tucker leading the way.
The team, which is now under the tutelage of Coach Roy Rana, can also lean on fresher legs with the addition of former youth team standout Rawhi Kelani and the Olajuwon brothers, Abdullah and Abdul Rahman.
Completing the group are India, who had quite a remarkable run in the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers.
From beating Kazakhstan again after eight years to sweeping Iraq and Bahrain in the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place Teams, Pranav Prince and his crew indeed had a ride toward returning to the tilt.
Group C action commences on Opening Day on Tuesday, August 5, at the King Abdullah Sports City, with the Jordanians and their South Asian counterparts raising the curtains of their pool play at 14:00 local time.
For the complete Group C schedule, click here.
FIBA