HONG KONG (22nd FIBA Asia U18 Championship): Having coached the team for almost five years, On Hing King surely knows more than a thing or two about the status and stature of the Hong Kong U18 NT that will take part at the 22nd FIBA Asia U18 Championship.

Hong Kong make a return to the competition in this event, after a gap of years having missed the previous edition at 21st FIBA Asia Championship at Sana’A (Yemen), only one of the three times they missed participation in the 21 editions of the event.

“We missed the bus by a whisker,” On said about Hong Kong’s failure to miss a top-three finish in the 3rd China-ASEAN men’s Basketball Tournament that qualified teams from East Asia to the 21st FIBA Asia Championship at Sana’A (Yemen).

Hong Kong made the fray in 18 out of the previous 21 editions of this event, but despite of their long standing participation – only China, Japan, Korea and Philippines have appeared on more occasions – the best the Hong Kong boys achieved is a sixth place on three occasions – Manila 1987, Kuala Lumpur 2000, Bangalore 2004.

“We hope to make amends this time around,” On said. “We are aiming for our best result, but it far easier than done,” he went on.

“We know our strengths well and more importantly the boys know our shortfalls even better,” he said.

“Our strength is obviously our speed and outside shooting. We are also working on half and full court press,” On said.

“Of course we are short in the height department. Which means our task is even harder in playing against the taller and stronger teams,” he admitted.

“In order to overcome this weakness, we will use double-team to help our centers and increase the fitness of our players,” he added.

On’s boys will play some games in the Hong Kong Basketball League’s Division A2 (where the average age is 22-years of age to hone their skills.

FIBA Asia