BEIRUT (Lebanon) – Many a firsts. And many fans. A quick way to describe FIBA Asia men’s National team competitions in 2024.
Here’s a rewind:
Record attendances
The fans showed up in 2024 to support their teams, especially in Window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Fans packed the stands at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai (India) with more than 13,000 combined across two games - the first game setting a record attendance for the national team in the country with 7,000 fans. A whopping 5,135 fans nearly filled the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok to root for Thailand against Australia which was again the biggest attendance ever for the basketball national team in the country. The Mall of Asia continued to be one of the great theaters of international basketball, with an 11,686 attendance for the Philippines' first ever win over New Zealand and then 11,896 for the victory over Hong Kong, China. This set a new record for the country in an Asia Cup Qualifiers. In Japan, the seats were sold out for both of their home games during the window way ahead of schedule.
Gilas beat New Zealand for the first time ever
The Philippine men’s national team was unsuccessful in their first four meetings against New Zealand in major FIBA competitions. But the fifth time’s the charm as Gilas finally beat the Tall Blacks in thrilling fashion, 93-90, in Window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, with Kai Sotto and Justin Brownlee showing the way. It was thought to be a task so daunting given their history but Coach Tim Cone came in liking his team’s chances, and went on to prove that they can get the job done, giving as well the Filipino fans renewed hope with the program under the veteran internationalist’s stewardship.
Japan beat China for the first time in 88 long years (ACQ)
Easily one of the biggest upsets this year happened in February when Japan took down China by way of 76-73 result to sweep Window 1 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. It marked their first win against the continental powerhouse in 88 long years, or since the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin.
Qatar beating Iran for the first time in nearly two decades
Qatar had previously come close to beating Asian powerhouse Iran earlier in the year in Window 1. They were finally able to close out the year by pulling off the upset - one of the biggest upsets in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. The game was close from start to finish and even though Iran’s Matin Aghajanpour was able to force an overtime, Qatar victory was inevitably sealed with the clutch play of guard Mike Lewis. While it was the biggest upset, it wasn’t Qatar’s only upset as they also defeated India at home a few days prior to the Iran game as well.
India beating Kazakhstan after 17 years, net first FIBA win in three years
India beating Kazakhstan might not have been the biggest upset (see above), but it was a huge victory for India basketball. To get your first win in FIBA play in just over 3 years - snapping a 16-game losing streak - against an opponent that they hadn't defeated in nearly three decades in front of a historic crowd at home in Chennai, it was certainly a massive win for India and a memorable moment in this calendar year.
Jordan qualifying for their first U19 World Cup since 1995
Hosting the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 was already a major milestone for Jordan, but they made it even more memorable by advancing to the Semi-Finals. That achievement qualified them for the U19 Basketball World Cup in this upcoming year of 2025 - something that they had not done in nearly 30 years with the last time being in 1995. It was an impressive effort from start to finish for Jordan. From a narrow loss to eventual finalists New Zealand to a historic win over the Philippines to a grind-it-out victory over Qatar in overtime, to the win over Korea in the Quarter-Finals, the hosts of this U18 Asia Cup displayed that they belonged among the Semi-Finalists.
FIBA