Last week, by advancing to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, the Bank of Guam’s men’s national basketball team made history. But there is no time to sit on their laurels and hope for the best. Now is the time to prepare for the future. Now is the time to prepare for the Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup 2025, which will take place Aug. 5-17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will include the top 16 teams in Asia. The teams that have qualified for Asia Cup 2025, thus far, are: Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Guam, India, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Syria.
Australia, the Asia Cup defending champions, is ranked No. 1 in Asia and No. 7 in the world.
“Preparation will start with recovery while I work with our coaching staff,” said Team Guam head coach EJ Calvo. “We need to raise funds in order to support the program, especially now that we’ve elevated to this level. I’m excited to get to work.”
In Guam’s final Asia Cup qualifying games against Chinese Taipei and Thailand, Guam lost to Chinese Taipei by 40 points but beat Thailand by 8 points. Against Chinese Taipei, Guam’s Tai Wesley reinjured a nagging leg muscle, which had been bothering him since the game against China last February. Although the injury will not require surgery, it will need time to heal.
“Tai’s calf muscle has been bothering him since the China game in February, and he pulled it again against Taiwan. Once he fully heals, he will have to strengthen it and come back as strong as ever at the Asia Cup,” Calvo said.
As Calvo works with his coaching staff to formulate plans and plays for the Asia Cup and works his magic to raise funds for the surging program, which is enjoying a meteoric rise, the coach reflected on the team – one filled with tested veterans and younger, less-experienced players. If history has taught Calvo and his coaching staff anything, especially what they learned after the latest game against Thailand, success in the Asia Cup will require the entire team’s effort. If one player goes down, another has to step up and take his spot.
“I’m extremely proud of how our team responds to challenges over and over,” Calvo said. “Nothing has come easy, and we appreciate the opportunity for growth.”
“We have always had a next-man-up mentality. And as long as we have each other’s backs, we always have a good chance for success,” added Calvo.