JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - They say success comes after adversity and Saudi Arabia could be proof of that.
The crew on Saturday night clinched a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualification to Quarter-Finals by showing India the door, continuing what could potentially become a magical run from the host nation.
From losing their Opening Night assignment versus China, KSA have now won twice in a row, with the first a 77-73 stunner of 2022 Semi-Finalists in Jordan last Thursday to end a winless spell that lasted for 12 long years.
Now, an 84-59 drubbing of their South Asian counterparts, leaving the electric home crowd that rocked the King Abdullah Sports City all the more ecstatic as they will see their team compete in the Final Phase.
Khalid Abdel Gabar himself was left beaming with so much pride for the turnaround he and the program has been doing - not just in the ongoing tournament, but from the competition's previous edition three years ago.
"Big improvement," he expressed.
Saudi Arabia were among the 16 teams that took part in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 in Indonesia, which actually marked their return to the meet after nearly a decade or since the 2013 contest held in the Philippines.
The 34-year-old was part of that team but they flew back home empty-handed after losing to the hosts, eventual two-time champs Australia, and coincidentally the Falcons in Group A, eventually finishing at 14th.
Years later and things have become totally different. From being mere hopefuls, the squad now has ambitions of going as deep as they can beginning, first and foremost, with an entry to the Quarter-Finals.
"We're 0-3 in the last Asia Cup in Indonesia and now we won two games. Great start. We just gotta keep it up," reflected Abdel Gabar, who finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists against India.
Doing so would be a feat in itself as well. Saudi Arabia have not reached the final eight for nearly two decades now or since the 2005 championships in Qatar, where they ended up eighth in the tilt ruled by China.
That idea, needless to say, is exciting, but it isn't lost on the charges of Coach Ricard Casas that getting there won't be easy as they have to get past a dangerous team in the Philippines in the knockout play-in.
Gilas were actually the first to advance following a 66-57 win over Iraq to lock the third spot in Group D and that could get five-time champions going after starting out with losses to Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.
Add to that Filipino crowd that has been coming in droves to support, something that the Philippine team has been banking on ever since - especially now that they're bound to play a game so important.
But Abdel Gabar is excited for the match ahead.
"The Philippines is obviously a great team. They're gonna have their crowd here, we're gonna have our crowd; I think it's gonna be a full gym. We're excited for the competition," he offered.
But the main reason why he's looking forward to the clash, really, is because Abdel Gabar and the rest of Saudi are looking to gain a measure of revenge against a team that they have yet to defeat.
The two have faced each other in the FIBA stage thrice in the past and Gilas won in all, with the most recent a 76-63 result during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers back in November of 2022.
And it was in this very same venue, too.
"The last time we played them I think they beat us, so we wanna obviously get the revenge back," said the seasoned internationalist. "But altogether, it's gonna be a great game."
FIBA