TOKYO (Japan) – Japan head into Window 3 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers with an unblemished record, having won all their four games so far and thus with the cushion of having already booked their ticket to Jeddah (where the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 will be played Aug 5-17 this year).
Therefore it’s quite obvious that the AKATSUKI JAPAN would look for something different than just win in the two games in the forthcoming Window 3.
“Every chance we get to come together as a team and practice is an important time for us,” said Japan coach Tom Hovasse.
“We want to put together a strong, cohesive team that works hard toward our goals,” he said.
“We will try out a variety of new, younger players and mix them with some veterans,” he opened up.
“Since we have qualified, it does give us a chance to try different lineups, concepts and plays,” he said.
“Younger players will get vital experience and Japan basketball should become stronger because of that.”
The experimentations however did not mean Japan are going to take the games in Window 3 any less serious.
“Every time you play for your country, it is an important game. You earn respect from your opponents by going out and giving it your all,” Hovasse said.
“Every game is a challenge. I want all of our players to embrace these challenges, push individual and team boundaries while playing our style of basketball,” the 58-year-old said keeping the larger and long term, interest in mind.
“That way we can continue to move forward and grow,” he said.
Japan’s campaign in the Qualifiers got off to a flying start what with the team handing out a long overdue defeat to archrivals China and the two are set face off once again on Feb 20 at Shenzhen in what the basketball world terms as “revenge game.”
Hovasse kept his thoughts on that game rather dispassionate to any emotions.
“Playing against China is always an important game,” he said.
“They are a very strong team and we need to be ready for their size and physicality,” he kept it simple and succinct.
FIBA