Does East Asian monopoly loom large once again in Wuhan?

WUHAN (2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship) - India and long-time ago third-place team Thailand surely have their task cut out in the 2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship tipping off on Saturday at the Wuhan Sports Center.

China, Korea, Japan and Chinese Taipei have held a stranglehold on the top four finishes in the championship for more than three decades running.

The last time any team outside this foursome made it to the Semi-Finals was when the Philippines reached the Last Four at the 1984 edition of the championship in Shanghai.

The Philippines, incidentally, are playing in Level II in this year's competition.

That Thailand is the only team to have taken a podium finish away from these four - a third-place finish in Taipei City back in 1972 - but at a time when China were yet to make their debut and in a championship where Japan did not participate further underlines the appropriation of the East Asian quarter on the top finishes here.

And the manner in which the four have prepared - at least going by first glance of their rosters - reduces the chances for any drastic change in the pecking order.

Japan, who won the title two years ago in Bangkok are propped by the presence of the then MVP Ramu Tokashiki, who is all set to display the experience gained from her WNBA rookie season with the Seattle Storm.

The return of Asami Yoshida, who missed Japan's campaign at the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship due to an ACL injury, is great bonus.

China, under the suave Aussie Tom Maher, have made some great strides since presenting a transition squad two years ago.

The likes of Shao Ting is all set to show her stunning performance at Turkey 2014 was no fluke and Lu Wen will likely prove that her making the All-Star Five at the last edition of the continental championship was no flash in the pan.

Korea present have in their line-up a player who arguably is the most impressive of her age to have ever played at the Asian level.

Ji Su Park, undoubtedly has proven her mettle as a teenager and even showed that she belonged in the top level, when she led her team in scoring at the World Championship. And with Kim Danbi and Park Hyejin looking in fine fettle, Korea will be a handful.

Chinese Taipei have included the tallest player in their history in their quest for their first podium finish since 2005, incidentally the last time China hosted this event in Qingdado.

Joy Burke, who will be known by her Chinese name Hsi-Le Bao is not only expected to provide the much-needed size, but also leadership as head coach Otis Hughley Jr makes his maiden appearance in a FIBA Asia event.

It is in this background of the top four showing no relent in their approach or attitude that the task of India and Thailand becomes more arduous.

In fact, history too is against the two non-East Asian teams in Level I.

India have never beaten any of their five opponents in Level I, including a 0-4 win-loss record against Thailand.

India, thus will need an unprecedented performance to translate the home advantage and the overwhelming confidence levels they are riding into actual results.

Thailand have won only once - a 107-69 triumph over Chinese Taipei back in 2001 - against the East Asian quartet, but will need more than that to topple them.

India, who will take to the court without the talismanic but now-retired Geethu Anna Jose for the first time in recent memory, will pin their hopes on a young but enthusiastic group of players to play the tunes as set by Spanish head coach Fran Garcia.

And Thailand count on their rather new team with very little players from the previous edition.

Are these factors good enough for India and Thailand to enter the top four - never achieved so far by either?

The key to the Championship lies in the answer to that question.

Philippines will be joined in Level II by DPR of Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

FIBA