The FIBA Asia Cup 2017 will be starting today (8 August 2017) in Beirut, Lebanon. There will be Sixteen nations vying for the rights to be claimed as the best basketball nation in Asia. The ASEAN Basketball League will see have stars from the past seasons playing among Asia’s finest.
The SEABA sub-regions lone representative are the Philippines and they have 2 former ABL players in their line-up.
Matthew Wright now plays for the Phoenix Fuelmasters (PBA), but was with the Westports Malaysia Dragons priorly. The Filipino-Canadian set several records before ending up as the Heritage Import MVP and an ABL Champion.
Former San Miguel Beermen (ABL), June Mar Fajardo, is also on the Philippines National Team roster as well. The Beermen made it to the ABL Finals in Fajardo’s lone season, falling just short of winning the whole thing. However, it appears doubtful that Fajardo will be playing in this FIBA Asia Cup 2017 due to an injury.
The Hong Kong National Team also made it FIBA Asia Cup by beating Macau in the EABA Championship. Three players from the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions will be leading the charge for the National Team.
The deadly duo of Siu Wing and Ki disrupted teams on defense and rained in long range shots to propel the Long Lions to an ABL title. They were one of the most important pieces of the championship team along with Fong Shing Yee and all three are going to be starring for the Hong Kong National Team.
The Philippines are placed in Group B with China, Iraq, and Qatar. Hong Kong are placed with Australia, Japan, and Chinese-Taipei in Group D.
Here are the schedules for both teams in the Group Stages of FIBA Asia Cup 2017:
8 August, 18:30 (GMT +3): Hong Kong vs. Chinese-Taipei
9 August, 13:30 (GMT +3): China vs. Philippines
10 August, 16:00 (GMT +3): Australia vs. Hong Kong
11 August, 16:00 (GMT +3): Philippines vs. Iraq
12 August, 13:30 (GMT +3): Japan vs. Hong Kong
13 August, 16:00 (GMT +3): Philippines vs. Qatar
