''Tommy'' Battuvshin, Mongolia ready to showcase passion for basketball in Qualifiers

ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - The Mongolia Basketball Association have formally announced a 12-player roster for their upcoming historic game.

The significance of their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Window 1 opening game on February 22 in Ulaanbaatar is that it continues Mongolia's quest for a first-ever Asia Cup appearance. It will be their first Asia Cup Qualifiers game, after two windows of the Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers, also hosted in Ulaanbaatar.

AS LONG AS WE ARE ON THE COURT REPRESENTING OUR SUPPORTERS, WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE NO ROOM TO HOLD BACK, REGARDLESS OF EXHAUSTION.

The importance of this game - as well as the five other games that will be played across three windows - is not lost among those who have been selected to play in this game. 

Mongolia's 12-player roster for Window 1 of FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers

Including "Tommy" Bilguun Battuvshin.

"Of course, this tournament is very important for the Mongolian national team," said the standout forward from the Pre-Qualifiers.

"We competed at [EABA Championship] in 2013 and lost the opportunity to participate in the Asia Cup, so I'm happy to be playing again at this stage. We still have some work to do.

"For me, this tournament is the best moment of my career."

Previously, Battuvshin led Mongolia through the Pre-Qualifiers after playing in all seven games across two windows, leading the team in average EFF rating of 15.7 while averaging 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. This came against the likes of Malaysia, Tahiti, Vietnam and Singapore, as well as teams that are also competing in the Asia Cup Qualifiers in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Guam.

These were not tough games, and Tommy knows that the upcoming games will be a different beast to battle with altogether.

"In the [Pre-Qualifiers], we competed with teams of a relatively similar level," he said. "However, [In the Qualifiers] we are in the same group with Japan, China, and Guam, so we will aim to play more responsible basketball."

To do that, Battuvshin says that the team are targeting to play a more "European" style of basketball with newly appointed Greek head coach, Fragkias Vasileios.

Their Qualifiers campaign begins in Xi'An at the Shaanxi Provincial Gymnasium, where they will face the all-time leaders in Asia Cup titles won, China.

"Our first game will be against the China national team, so it will be a very difficult game," said Battuvshin.

He, like all of the other basketball players and fans in Mongolia know too well, what they are going to go up against.

"China is one of Mongolia's long-standing neighbors. We grew up watching Chinese basketball since we were kids.

"They are considered one of the teams with the greatest potential to win the right to participate in the World Cup and Olympics in Asia.

"They are the strongest team in this competition."

"But we have experience playing against them," added Tommy, who also mentioned that he's played against China "3-4 times" across different competitions.

Therefore, he knows it's a tough game, but that doesn't mean that Mongolia will just roll over and give in.

"We have never beaten the Chinese national team before but we will show them that we have grown and developed just like the other teams. Our coaching staff believes that there is a tactical plan available to counter them."

Their second opponent of the window, which they will play against on February 26, are familiar foes as well and have even played against each other more recently at the Pre-Qualifiers: Guam.

"Guam have a very unique playing style," analyzed Battuvshin. "They believe they are the best team when using their physical strength and individual skills. This time, Guam are a very strong team.

"Since we are at the same level, I think whoever goes into the match with the most energy will win."

That could be an advantage for Mongolia as they are scheduled to play in the comfort of their home venue, UG Arena. Guam knows too well how big of an impact that can be in this game, as they have already faced the Mongolia home crowd during the Pre-Qualifiers.

"It is very important for our team to play at home," expressed the team captain, who said that these fans influence so much of their success.

"As long as we are on the court representing our supporters, we understand that we have no room to hold back, regardless of exhaustion."

Considering that Mongolia basketball were historically not featured regularly at the global or even regional stage in Asia, there's always a slight surprise to see how packed their home games can be for those observing from the outside in.

However, for those like Battunshin, there's no surprise about Mongolia's passion for basketball.

"For me, having children meant that there would always be a basketball hoop in our yard. Whenever the weather allowed, we would gather with friends, divide into teams, and play, creating memories that connected us through this sport," said Tommy.

"Spending leisure time in this way was the best way to bond with friends, and playing basketball with friends outside our homes made this sport even more enjoyable."

For him, it was the same thing. His earliest basketball memory is of his parents setting up a small hoop in their home's driveway, in which he started to practice shooting.

"That tiny hoop became my best friend, and it holds some of my fondest memories."

"From basketball, I have family, friends, career, respect, everything. Everything I do is related to basketball. All the memories in my life so far are related to basketball so I still play and love this sport."

New memories are on the way from Mongolia's upcoming Qualifiers games. Can Tommy be a part in making these memories happy ones of victory - memories he will cherish forever?

FIBA