TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s national men’s basketball team was presented to the media on Thursday as it prepares for its first game against Japan on Nov. 28 in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, per CNA.

Team captain Chen Ying-chun (陳盈駿) said facing Japan in Group B will be a major early test, calling them a traditional Asian basketball powerhouse. “We must fight with the mindset of challengers,” he said.

Chen said he hopes to bring positive energy to the squad during training and competition. “Japan is already a world-class team, but we can’t be timid before the game even starts,” he said.

Guard Lin Ting-chien (林庭謙) said Japan’s backcourt is known for speed and shooting. “We must use tactics and strategies to suppress their performance to have a chance to fight back,” he said.

Head coach Gianluca Tucci noted that only five players returned from the previous national team. Despite a short training camp, he said the players quickly adapted and supported one another, resulting in solid team cohesion.

Mohammad al Bachir Gadiaga, also known as Abbasi (阿巴西), is expected to be one of Taiwan’s primary scoring options. He suffered a right thigh strain on Nov. 15 while playing for the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers and recently received a platelet-rich plasma injection. 

He is expected to resume team training next week. Whether he will travel to Japan will be determined by the coaching staff.

Taiwan will face Japan at an away game on Nov. 28, then host Japan on Dec. 1 at Xinzhuang Gymnasium. The team will also host South Korea on Feb. 26 and China on March 1 before traveling to South Korea on July 3 and China on July 6.