TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's national basketball team secured a commanding victory over Iraq Thursday (Aug. 7) in the FIBA Asia Cup, clinching a top-two finish in Group D. The triumph sets up a crucial showdown against New Zealand Saturday (Aug. 9) as Taiwan pursues its first quarterfinal berth in over a decade. This victory represents a significant milestone for Taiwanese basketball on the international stage.
Taiwan's roster features the celebrated "Three Overseas Musketeers" Ray Chen (陳盈駿), Gavin Liu (劉錚), and Benson Lin (林庭謙), alongside the Taiwanese-American "Hinton Brothers" Adam (賀丹) and Robert Hinton (賀博), plus naturalized player Brandon Gilbeck (高柏鎧). The team has exceeded all expectations despite entering the tournament ranked 12th by FIBA's international basketball federation. Consecutive victories over the Philippines and Iraq have positioned Taiwan for its first direct quarterfinal berth in 12 years.
Head coach Gianluca Tucci acknowledged New Zealand's formidable strength and identified them as a potential championship contender in the tournament. Tucci emphasized that Taiwan must maintain humility, execute strong defensive play, and maintain sharp focus to achieve victory. Should Taiwan fall to New Zealand, the team will face the third-place finisher from Group C in a playoff match to determine the final quarterfinal position. ◼