TAIPEI (Chinese Taipei) - "I think we've done a masterpiece on the court."
Gianluca Tucci’s words captured the moment perfectly. Chinese Taipei had just secured a statement win against the Philippines, a long-awaited triumph that was nine years in the making. The 91-84 victory in the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers wasn’t just about getting the victory - it was about proving their belief in themselves.
"Last time we played the Philippines, we lost by a lot," said Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga, reflecting on the 106-53 defeat in Window 1. "So this time my mentality was like, we need to [win]." And win they did, in front of an electrified crowd at Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.
Gadiaga led the charge with 21 points, but this was a team effort through and through. The intensity was undeniable, with both sides trading clutch plays down the stretch. Every basket, every defensive stand, every roar from the fans built up to a moment of redemption.
Tucci, new to the Chinese Taipei basketball culture, embraced the significance of the win but saw it as part of a larger journey. "I just know that the last win [against] the Philippines was 9 years ago. But I don’t [consider this] as a real kind of surprise because I believe in my team. If you see how hard they work, how they train, you can consider, like me, that this is a big win, but not really a surprise. It's only a step to becoming better in every single game."
That mindset resonated with the players. Gadiaga, now a key figure in this team’s resurgence, made it clear that this was just the beginning. "This is just the start. I feel like we can be better than today. I feel like we can do better than today. I hope for the next game and the other games next month. I hope we can win all the games and be a better team for all of us and for the country."
The win was more than just a victory on the scoreboard. It was a statement - one that Chinese Taipei plans to keep building on as they continue their Asia Cup journey.
FIBA