The True Reward of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers Had Nothing to Do with Winning or Losing ｜Chinese Taipei Men’s National Basketball Team

An Invaluable Lesson Beyond Wins and Losses: Chinese Taipei Men’s Basketball

The road to the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup was anything but smooth. For basketball fans across the region, it was a tournament shaped and reshaped by the ongoing pandemic. With COVID-19 surges delaying the event multiple times, the final format—24 teams in bubble league in Jordan and the Philippines—was finally locked in for June. But by then, the pandemic had already taken a toll on national team preparations. Chinese Taipei was no exception.

(Wu Jia-Jun)

After a string of player withdrawals—many of them household names—due to injuries, COVID-related concerns, or scheduling conflicts, the final 12-man roster was a mix of emerging talents and late replacements: Lin Ren-Hong, Wu Xiao-Jin, Li Han-Sheng, Su Shih-Hsuan, Chen Yu-Rui, Wu Chia-Chun, Lu Chun-Hsiang, Tán Jié-Lóng, Abasi (Al Bachir), Hsieh Ya-Hsuan, Gu Mao Wei-Chia, and Lan Shao-Fu. The youngest on the squad was 20-year-old Tán Jié-Lóng, a Canadian-Taiwanese player and the only one standing over 200 cm tall. To call this group “next generation” would be an understatement—it was a full reboot. Even in the final two weeks leading up to the tournament, roster changes continued. The team lacked cohesion, experience, and size, especially compared to other national squads—many of which also faced pandemic-related limitations. Yet for these 12 players, the tournament presented a rare and precious opportunity.

(Lin Ren-Hong)

Three Losses, Countless Gains

Before the team even set foot on the court, expectations were low. With uneven talent and a size disadvantage, few fans—or pundits—predicted anything other than a 0–3 record. Drawn into Group B with powerhouses China and Japan, Chinese Taipei was up against long odds. The only break came when Malaysia withdrew, guaranteeing at least one win by default. But what this team lacked in firepower, they made up for with heart.

Game one against China was a rude awakening. Facing a team whose average height was 11 cm taller, Chinese Taipei’s tallest player, Tan Jie-Long, would’ve only passed as a small forward on China’s roster. The game played out as expected, with China’s 225 cm Liu Chuan-Xing dominating the paint in just 13 minutes with 16 points and 9 assists. Chinese Taipei’s limited training time and lack of chemistry were evident in a 49-point blowout loss. One silver lining? Hsieh Ya-Hsuan, fresh out of Chien Hsin University, dropped 25 points on 7 three-pointers—an individual breakout in an otherwise lopsided defeat.

But just 24 hours later, the same team looked transformed. Facing a seasoned Japanese squad that featured a mix of veterans and rising stars, Chinese Taipei came out with renewed focus. Senior players Lin Ren-Hong, Wu Chia-Chun, Li Han-Sheng, and Su Shih-Hsuan led by example, showing no signs of hangover from the previous day’s loss. While Japan pulled away in the third quarter, Chinese Taipei’s resilience was clear. They weren’t here to give up—they were here to grow. In the final matchup against China, fans expected another drubbing. But something had changed. Chinese Taipei had adjusted. They played China much tighter, holding them to an 18-point margin—a 31-point improvement from their first game. Even if China had eased up and rotated in their younger players, the difference in Chinese Taipei’s performance was undeniable. For these players, it meant everything.

Abasi (Al Bachir)

Abasi (Al Bachir): Taiwan’s Second Naturalized Player Makes His Debut

Despite the many challenges, the tournament had one significant bright spot: the international debut of Abasi (Al Bachir), a standout from Shih Hsin University. As Taiwan’s second-ever naturalized player, Abasi brought something new to the team. A swingman standing 188 cm tall, Abasi boasts Senegalese and French heritage and is known for his athleticism and explosive scoring in the collegiate UBA league.

Unlike the towering naturalized center Quincy Davis, who came before him, Abasi plays the 2/3 positions. His UBA highlights raised expectations, but perhaps burdened by the pressure of his debut and the label of “naturalized player,” his performance fell short of fan hopes. Across three games, he totaled just 15 points, averaging 5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1 assist in 11.5 minutes per game. Head coach Cheng Chih-Long offered perspective: “Abasi started playing basketball relatively late and hasn’t had the same foundational training as other players. He has incredible athleticism and potential, but he needs to refine his technique and decision-making. No matter where he plays next, that’s going to be the key to his growth.”

(Hsieh Ya-Hsuan)

In the end, it wasn’t about wins or losses. Yes, this squad was under-prepared and outmatched, but they wore “Chinese Taipei” across their chests with pride. They brought grit, courage, and resilience to a nearly impossible challenge. Their mission wasn’t just about competing—it was about representing their country with the right attitude. And in doing so, they gained something far more valuable than a spot in the next round. They earned experience. They earned respect. And perhaps most importantly, they earned belief in themselves and from the fans who watched them grow with every possession.

Written by:Yu Bo-Han

Photo courtesy of FIBA