JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - From epic comebacks to long-awaited breakthroughs, these unforgettable Asia Cup clashes prove that greatness doesn’t always happen on Finals night. In fact, some of the most dramatic and unforgettable moments in FIBA Asia Cup history have unfolded well before the championship trophy was even in sight. From shocking upsets to buzzer-beating finishes, these games show that the path to the Final can be just as compelling as the title decider itself.
This is proof that in the Asia Cup, greatness knows no round. The games below are presented in order from the most recent to the earliest.
2022 Qualification to Quarter-Finals: Jordan 97–96 Chinese Taipei (Jakarta)
For over 30 minutes, Chinese Taipei were in control, leading by as many as 11 points and seemingly cruising to the Quarter-Finals. What happened in the final minute, however, was one of the most improbable comebacks in FIBA Asia Cup history.
Jordan trailed 91-82 with just 54 seconds left. Then Dar Tucker and Freddy Ibrahim exploded, and Chinese Taipei unraveled. Jordan outscored TPE 15–5 in a frantic finish, capped by Ibrahim’s logo-range three-pointer at the buzzer after Lee Kai-Yan’s painful split from the free throw line. Tucker scored a tournament-high 36 points, and the win eliminated Chinese Taipei in shocking fashion.
2022 Semi-Finals: Lebanon 86–85 Jordan (Jakarta)
Jordan found themselves in another thriller just days later, this time against Lebanon, with a spot in the Final on the line.
Tucker’s late three-point play gave Jordan an 85–84 lead with under 30 seconds remaining, but Wael Arakji had the final word, slicing through the defense for a floater with 11.8 seconds left. Jordan had two chances to win, but missed both. Lebanon escaped by the slimmest of margins, and Arakji’s 25 points set the tone for his eventual Tournament MVP run.
2017 Group Stage: Korea 76–75 New Zealand (Zouk Mikael)
The first-ever FIBA Asia Cup meeting between Korea and New Zealand delivered a thriller. Korea built a commanding 15-point lead, but the Tall Blacks roared back in the second half with trademark physicality.
In the final minutes, however, Korea’s execution and defensive discipline held firm, sealing a 76–75 win that sent them into the Qualification to Quarter-Finals phase. The victory sparked Korea’s deep run, where they later repeated over New Zealand in the battle for 3rd place. Veteran Oh Se-Keun was key here, finishing with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
2015 Group Stage: China 76–73 Korea (Changsha-Hunan)
This was a clash between traditional powerhouses that quickly turned into an instant classic. Korea dominated the early stages, at one point holding a 20-point advantage thanks to sizzling outside shooting and ball movement.
But China regrouped, leaning on the brilliance of Guo Ailun’s playmaking and the towering tandem of Yi Jianlian and Zhou Qi. With less than a minute left, Guo dropped a perfect pass to Zhou for a go-ahead slam that became the game’s signature highlight.
Korea’s Yang Dong-Geun poured in 27 points and 10 assists in a brilliant solo effort, but it wasn’t enough. Yi and Zhou combined for 41 points and 19 boards as China completed one of the most memorable group-stage comebacks in tournament history.
2013 Semi-Finals: Philippines 86–79 Korea (Manila)
Few wins have meant more to a home crowd than this one. For decades, Korea had been the Philippines’ ultimate nemesis, handing Gilas heartbreak after heartbreak.
That ended in 2013. In front of a roaring Manila crowd, Gilas Pilipinas finally exorcised the Korean curse. After squandering a double-digit lead, clutch plays from Ranidel De Ocampo, Jimmy Alapag, and Marc Pingris steadied the Gilas ship for an 86–79 victory.
The emotional triumph sent the Philippines to their first FIBA Asia Cup Final since 1963 and booked their spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time since 1978.
2013 Quarter-Finals: Chinese Taipei 96–78 China (Manila)
This was one of the most stunning results of the modern era. China looked dominant early, building a 17-point lead in the first half. The second half, however, belonged to Chinese Taipei, led by big man Quincy Davis, who was unstoppable inside.
Backed by hot perimeter shooting, Chinese Taipei outscored China, 56–28, after the break, flipping the game on its head and cruising to a 96–78 upset. It ensured Chinese Taipei’s first Semi-Finals appearance since 1999 and marked just the second time in the 21st century that China failed to reach the top 4.
2011 Quarter-Finals: Jordan 88–84 Iran (Wuhan)
Two-time defending champions Iran were unbeaten coming into this clash but ran into a fearless Jordanian squad. Despite trailing by five entering the fourth quarter, Jordan stormed ahead with a 31–22 final period. Playing through an ankle injury, Samad Nikkhah Bahrami was limited to eight points for Iran.
Meanwhile Jordan’s Sam Daghlas led the upset with 23 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. The victory set the stage for Jordan’s incredible run to the Final, where they narrowly lost to hosts China.
2007 Quarter-Finals: Kazakhstan 75–73 Korea (Tokushima)
Kazakhstan made history by defeating Korea for the first time ever in an Asia Cup game, and in dramatic fashion. In a tense back-and-forth contest, Anton Ponomarev stood tall with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Kazakhstan’s defense smothered Korea’s interior threat Ha Seung-Jin, limiting him to just six points.
Though Korea still advanced to the Semi-Finals based on standings, this win marked a turning point for Kazakh basketball pride.
Finals may crown champions, but the journey there is packed with legendary performances, rivalries renewed and unforgettable drama. These games remind us that in the FIBA Asia Cup, the stories that define a generation often unfold long before the gold medal is won.
DISCLAIMER: These selections are entirely based on personal perspective and do not reflect any official criteria or evaluation. All views expressed are the author’s own.
FIBA