JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - It's an all too familiar situation for China.
The tournament's only 16-time champions on Saturday booked the first ticket to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Quarter-Finals following a wire-to-wire conquest of Jordan before their own fans at the King Abdullah Sports City.
It marked the program's seventh consecutive trip to the final eight but this particular qualification weighs a certain amount on the team, given that the said stage hasn't been that nice to them in recent years.
After claiming the gold in 2015, the team struggled in the next two editions. They bowed out of the QF on both occasions, losing to eventual champions Australia in 2017 and then future runners-up Lebanon in 2022.
Can Team Dragon finally get over the hump?
That's the biggest question fans and observers are now asking especially after beating the Falcons. But for Hu Mingxuan, what's certain is that they, too, would want to accomplish as much in pursuit of glory.
"We are definitely here with determination," he said.
The 27-year-old was part of the squad that fought in 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia, where a promising campaign ended up in heartbreak as they fell to a clutch Wael Arakji runner and ultimately bowed, 72-69.
Over three years later, Hu and the rest of Team China have earned themselves a chance at redemption, with the former CBA Finals MVP himself playing a crucial role in their 3-0 sweep of Group C.
After a measly two-point showing in their narrow win against Saudi Arabia, he found his touch from deep and went on to fire five threes for 17 points to help lead the way toward a dominant 100-69 win over India.
Hu then made 14 behind a 3-of-5 clip from three in their 90-68 victory over the Jordanians and there was, he offered, a conscious effort on his part to deliver after a below-par showing on Opening Day.
"What needed to be adjusted was the mindset," he said. "I did not do so well in the first game. But the game was in the past once it was over. To know where the opportunities lie and resolutely act on them are important."
He did act aptly and the credit also goes to the work he's been putting in, said Hu.
"It also stems from previous training and the requirements set by Coach Guo [Shiqiang] during the training camp. When the usual training load is met, one can take shots with a calm mindset when opportunities arise," he said.
"And naturally, the shooting percentage will be good," he added.
The Quarter-Finals begin on Wednesday and that means quite a lengthy period not only to recover but to monitor the games closely, as they will have to watch the Qualification to Quarter-Finals to know their foes.
But whoever that may be, Hu and China will be ready.
They've been hungry, after all.
"What we need to do is to go all out, unite as one, and fight for every game," he said.
FIBA