5 Reasons to watch the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Eastern Region Pre-Qualifiers

NONTHABURI (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Eastern Region Pre-Qualifiers) – There are only FOUR tickets left to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 and they will be handed out here in Thailand. It will be intense in each and every game between the seven participating nations as they seek for a chance at advancing to the final stage. With so much going on and so many storylines to follow, here are five of the most intriguing reasons that the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Eastern Region Pre-Qualifers will be worth tuning in to.

1. Say hello to Guam and Fiji

The two Oceania nations get their chance to break into the FIBA Asia Cup for the firs time ever. Both teams have long been under the shadows casted by Australia and New Zealand, so getting a change of scenery to go up against some other nations in the region is breath of fresh air and a golden opportunity.

 

Guam, in particular, are hoping to burst into the scene hard with a star-studded group including Curtis Washington, Earnest Ross, and Tai Wesley.

2. Rivalry Season

Indonesia might claim that there aren’t any actual rivalries going on since they swept through the SEABA Pre-Qualifiers, but they have to admit that those wins didn’t come easily. Malaysia and Thailand have their eyes locked in on avenging close losses from the previous round over Indonesia. The host nation in particular should be itching to get their hands on Indonesia once again after a string of agonizing losses in nearly every event of international play. Singapore also have budding rivalries against Malaysia and Thailand as well, creating a web of unfinished business between the four participating SEABA nations.

 

It usually results in close and entertaining games when these four teams meet and with not a lot of room left to slip in this tourney, you can be sure to get some classic duels once again.

3. Macau, how do you do?

Macau are no stranger to FIBA Asia competition unlike Fiji and Guam. However, they might also enjoy a fresh new experience of getting play against the other teams here after having been pitted against the EABA powerhouses of Korea, China, Chinese-Taipei for such a long time.

 

They are expected to parade a relatively young squad into this tournament, with a chance to gather valuable experience for the next generation of basketball in a country that is seeing an increase for the love of the game.

4. Bring in the Big Guns

Just in case you need another reminder: only four of the 7 teams will be going through to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021. This is the last qualifying round before the big event, which is why teams are not holding back on bringing their talents to Stadium29, Thailand.

Though Thailand will be without Tyler Lamb, they have called up Moses Morgan for his national team debut. Morgan is also a former NCAA Division 1 talent, having played for both the Depaul Blue Demons and Cal State Fullerton.

 

Guam will be featuring Curtis Washington (played at Georgia State), Earnest Ross (played for the Auburn Tigers and Missouri Tigers), and Tai Wesley (played for Utah State). All three have played significant roles on teams in the NBL (Australia) and the NZNBL, as well.

 

Indonesia will still have Jamarr Johnson, who shined at the SEABA Pre-Qualifiers, while Singapore is anchoring their paint with 23-year-old Delvin Goh who is coming into his own as a legit star.

 

5. This is the Final Call

This cannot be stressed enough: The Eastern Region Pre-Qualifiers serve as the last qualifying round for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. The three teams that miss their chances in this coming week will have to wait until after 2021 for their next shot at cracking into the circle of Asia’s elite basketball nations.

 

There is plenty at stake for each and every nation in participation with each team’s situation differentiating from one another. However, the goal for every team is certainly to beat anyone in their way to advance to the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Whenever there is this much on the line, it guarantees for plenty of highly entertaining basketball action which you surely don’t want to miss for a single second.

FIBA