HISTORICAL perspective takes a backset for sports, as China and Chinese Taipei clash in a rare head-to-head in the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The two opposed countries, who have had a history of long-standing tension, take to the court on Sunday when they do battle at the Mall of Asia Arena, with the outcome having a big say on the two teams' bids to advance to the second round.
The encounter is set at 4 p.m., marking the first meeting between Team Dragon and Chinese Taipei in the last three years, or since the 2023 qualifiers for the FIBA World Cup.
And making the match-up doubly significant was the upset both teams pulled off Thursday night to open this latest window.
China rallied back from a 15-point deficit behind Hu Jinqui to nip home team Japan, 87-80, at the Okinawa Arena.
Chinese Taipei, for its part, dominated from the get-go, with naturalized Brandon Gilbeck and Benson Lin showing the way in a 77-65 win over South Korea at New Taipei City.
The separate victories put both teams on the win column for similar 1-2 slates in Group B.
Rivalry's history
China, of course, holds an imposing 15-1 record over Chinese Taipei in head-to-head match-ups in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments dating back to their first ever meeting in the 1987 Asia Cup.
That lone Chinese Taipei win?
It happened no less than at the Mall of Asia Arena during the 2013 Asia Cup, 96-78, in a dramatic quarterfinal battle which paved the way for Chinese Taipei to make it to the semifinals opposite eventual champion Iran.
Will history repeat itself? Or will China’s dominance prevail once more?
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