Gilas Pilipinas will have one less problem when it chases the title in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) announced that promising big man, Yang Hansen, will not suit up in the prestigious continental tourney set from 5 to 17 August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The federation stressed that the 7-foot-1 slotman will stay in the United States to join the Portland Trail Blazers in their training camps and short-term workouts.
“He applied to the national team and the Chinese Basketball Association, hoping to participate in two short-term training camps organized by the Portland Trail Blazers starting on August 11 in order to better integrate with his new team and further improve his skills,” the CBA told Xinhua News Agency.
“These camps are designed for rookies and players who need continued development based on their Summer League performance.”
The CBA added that they approved Yang’s request as his progress and development would be a big boost to their long-term goal of reclaiming Asian glory.
“After a comprehensive evaluation considering the long-term development of both the athlete and Chinese basketball, the Chinese Basketball Association has agreed to Yang Hansen’s request to not participate in the national team training camp and games for the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, allowing him to fully prepare for the new season,” the CBA added.
China and the Philippines will not clash in the pool play of the Asia Cup.
The 16-time champion China is bunched in Pool C with Jordan, India and Saudi Arabia while the Philippines is in Pool C with Chinese Taipei, New Zealand and Iraq.
Their paths, however, will cross in the playoffs, where the second seed of Pool C will clash with the third seed of Pool D and the second seed of Pool D will lock horns with the third seed of Pool C. If not, they will definitely meet each other in the semifinals, quarterfinals and final given the elite status of both squads.
The Chinese are craving for payback to the Filipinos.
Since losing to Gilas Pilipinas in a dramatic semifinal showdown in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on 4 October 2023, the Chinese have marked their calendars, eager to exact payback on the Filipino side bannered by naturalized player Justin Brownlee.
The Asia Cup will be their first chance, but the looming absence of 20-year-old Yang, who was drafted 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies before trading him to the Trail Blazers in the recent NBA Draft, has dealt a heavy blow to their redemption campaign.