Chinese Taipei looked like the more composed team as they once again frustrated Gilas Pilipinas for an opening victory in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
Chinese Taipei head coach Gianluca Tucci was a picture of satisfaction after his wards dealt a more experienced Gilas Pilipinas a 95-87 loss in their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 opener on Wednesday, August 6 (PH time).
“Philippines is one of the most experienced teams in this competition. They know each other very well but we were simply better than them executing the game play,” Tucci said after the completed upset at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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He wasn’t exactly wrong.
Coach Tim Cone’s squad has been together for a while now, with the main core seeing action starting the Asian Games two years ago.
After the gold medal run in the Asia Games, Gilas then turned in a stellar showing in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where they stunned Latvia and made the semis.
“Philippines has more experience. They play in the World Cup Qualifiers, they play Asian Games. [Considering] the two teams, there’s a huge diff in experience,” Tucci said.
[ALSO READ: Tim Cone disappointed in Gilas' Asia Cup opening loss: 'Like we’re in panic mode for 40 mins’]
But Chinese Taipei looked like the more composed team in the FIBA Asia Cup, going on a 25-8 tear to open their match and doing just enough to keep Gilas on its heels the rest of the way.
Tucci had Ying-Chun Chen to thank for the fiery start, as the explosive guard torched Gilas with 34 big points.
Chen proved to be a headache for the Filipinos especially in pick-and-roll plays, where Gilas bigs June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu struggled to keep up.
The sweet-shooting guard, however, deflected credit and instead pointed out to his team’s defense as key in the victory.
“First of all, I think coach (Tucci) and the whole coaching staff gave us a good game plan and we executed really well on both ends especially on the defensive end where we limited their primary offensive players,” he said.
Chen and the rest of Chinese Taipei look to sustain this fine play as they take on Iraq next on Thursday, August 7 (PH time).
Meanwhile, Gilas also plays on the same game day, taking on New Zealand.
[ALSO READ: AJ Edu speaks on flat Gilas FIBA Asia Cup 2025 start: 'We're gonna take responsibility’]