BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Teams will be shifting into high gear as the qualification to FIBA Asia Cup 2025 heads into the home stretch with Window 3 fast approaching.
It would also mean another opportunity to witness which players will step up to the plate as all competitors are sure to go all out, most especially those who are in must-win situations in order to keep the dream alive in reaching the continental meet.
From Window 2 heroes to young talents, take a look at some of the stars that should be looked out for in next week's games. [Note: the list is in no particular order.]
AJ Edu, PHI
The Philippines would definitely need any help they can get with Kai Sotto out for at least the rest of 2025 and fortunately for them, AJ Edu is available to play.
A close pal of the 'Kaiju,' the 2.08 M (6'10") center was part of Gilas' pool in the previous window but didn't see action due to a knee injury. Now he's healthy and ready to go this week, where they will take on Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.
In fact, he's already suited up for the squad in the recent Doha International Cup in Qatar to further familiarize himself with Coach Tim Cone's scheme of things.
Edu, himself a former Gilas Youth standout, is expected to play in a FIBA competition for the first time since the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Mike Lewis II, QAT
Mike Lewis II further grew his legend when he emerged as the hero for Qatar to escape Iran in overtime last window that fanned their Asia Cup hopes.
The 1.88 M (6'2") point guard came through with the go-ahead bucket with 6.4 seconds left to play for the eventual 78-77 victory, scoring their first win of the Qualifiers - and earning a triumph so significant for the program as a whole.
Not only did they avenge their 76-74 OT back in Window 1 but the Qataris also ended a 19-year losing skid against Team Melli with the win that's indeed a major step in their buildup toward the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2028 which they will host.
And that's big thanks to Lewis, who's actually been one of their best players in the Qualifiers with per-game averages of 17.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
DeMarco Dickerson, UAE
DeMarco Dickerson wrote history right in his very first game as he starred in UAE's 90-77 rout of Bahrain back in Window 2 to barge into the Group F win column.
The lanky 27-year-old combo guard registered the first-ever triple-double of the Asia Cup Qualifiers, finishing with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists while also adding 4 steals to his name in truly a stupendous announcement to his arrival.
Dickerson also became the third player to notch the rare statistical feat across all Continental Cup Qualifiers after Switzerland's Jonathan Kazadi in 2020 (22-10-10) and Mohamed Sadi of Libya just last year, albeit with steals (24-9-12-10).
It would be interesting to see if the native of Detroit, Michigan can write history anew in Window 3, where UAE will be facing Syria and Lebanon.
Pranav Prince, IND
Pranav Prince has been one of India's top players but showed that he can up the ante after steering his side to a historic win over Kazakhstan during the last window.
There, the 2.0 M (6'7") winger finished with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists to star in their 88-69 victory in Chennai - their first against the more experienced Steppen Wolves in nearly three decades.
He also collected 6 steals to tie the Asia Cup Qualifiers' single-game record. All in all, he netted an efficiency of 32 following the all-around effort he put up that helped India score their first win after starting with three straight losses in Group E.
With India battling Iran and Qatar next, eyes will definitely be on "The Prince" if he'd be able to sustain his ways as the crew shoots for its Asia Cup aspirations.
Li Hongquan, CHN
Ben Li is one young player that fans should look out for as the 23-year-old forward is expected to make his China debut in this week's window.
A product of NCAA D1 school Lehigh University, the Canadian-born pro has actually seen action for Team Dragon during the 2024 NBA Summer League but it's only now that he could make his FIBA debut after being included to their training camp roster.
He's set to join the men's team as an exciting talent, having earned Most Improved Player honors with the Shanghai Sharks back in the 2023-24 CBA season.
Standing at 1.98 M (6'6"), Li is indeed a welcome addition to the wing position of a team (3-1) that's aiming to qualify to the Asia Cup proper this Window 3.
Matin Aghajanpour, IRI
Not to be forgotten during Qatar's thrilling win was the valiant effort Matin Aghajanpour put up that truly made it a challenging night for the home team.
He was actually responsible for extending the match, nailing the triple under duress with 6.6 seconds left in regulation that eventually led to OT - and brought flashbacks of their Window 1 encounter at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran.
Iran didn't get the result they wanted but it was nonetheless a night to remember for the 23-year-old, who finished with 31 points, spiked by a 7-of-10 clip from deep, to tie the second-most points in a game in the present Qualifiers.
Team Melli are carrying a 3-1 card in Group E and are looking to sweep their Window 3 games against India and Kazakhstan, and Aghajanpour is once again seen to deliver solidly especially after that sterling performance in Doha.
Yudai Nishida, JPN
Yudai Nishida wasn't even part of Japan's roster for Window 2 until Coach Tom Hovasse called him up to address their manpower woes brought about by injuries.
That decision was truly worth it. The former youth team standout played a major role in helping AKATSUKI JAPAN clinch a spot in the Asia Cup, averaging 21.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in their dominant wins against Mongolia and Guam.
Plugged in as a 3, Nishida showed comfortability in that position, nailing a total of 13 three-pointers across those two games. He's now part of the Window 3 pool and there should be no question whatsoever that he deserves another tour of duty.
With the Japanese set to play long-time rivals China and the Blue Wolves, it should be interesting to see if he sustains his fine shooting - or do even better.
Sergio El Darwich, LBN
Sergio El Darwich introduced himself in a bigger stage when he emerged as one of Lebanon's best players during the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.
There, the 1.94 M (6'4") guard was their top-scorer with 16.3 points, and also averaged 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists as he helped the Cedars to a Semi-Final finish.
Definitely, eyes will be on him when the Lebanese compete in the third window, where they are looking to preserve their pristine 4-0 record in Group F even though they've already qualified for the tournament proper back in November.
El Darwich has actually been a key figure behind their unbeaten run thus far. In the previous window, he hiked his production from Window 1, averaging 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in their wins over UAE and Syria.
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