Middle Asian nation Sri Lanka came in with no big expectations, but returns with two wins. “I’m particularly pleased by the way we won against Syria,” says Sri Lankan Head Coach Sushil Udukumbura.

The most fascinating thing about the Malaysian U18 women’s team here is that the girls play with the same pace throughout the game no matter what the game situation or the scoreboard position is. “That’s probably because these girls really enjoy playing basketball,” said Yoon Choo Seck, the Head coach of the team after the girls beat Kazakhstan in a crucial Level I game on Saturday.

Regulars to FIBA Asia women’s competitions are surely familiar with the name Shiba Maggon. Except that this time the 34-year-old’s name figures in the Indian team list as the Assistant Coach. The Indian team under Maggon has won all the four games so far, and by a comfortable margin at that, “It looks wonderful, isn’t it?” Maggon shrugged, as she sat down for a chat with correspondent.

The teamwork in the coaching staff of Chinese Taipei U18 women’s team extends to talking to the media as well! Chen Mei-Li is the listed Head coach of the team, but assistants Teng Pi-Cheng and Wang Wei-Chieh take over the chief instructors’ role in various situations.

Syria surely are the additional talking point in this year’s FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women. And the West Asian team enhanced their reputation with a cracking win on debut in their Level II opener on Wednesday. “We are here for experience, no doubt. But we are here to make the experience count,” said Syria coach Jean Kouja Kakhoul in an interview with this website immediately after his team’s win on debut.