GILAS Pilipinas will be playing in Group D in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Philippines is set to take on world No. 22 New Zealand and Chinese Taipei in the group stage - the same squads the Filipinos faced during the qualifying round of the tournament. Iraq is the other team in Group D.

Tournament format calls for the top team in each of the four groups advancing straight to the quarterfinals, with the second- and third-placers in each of the groups playing a knockout match in a 'play-in' to the quarterfinals stage.

Filipino basketball fans are hoping to see Gilas take another continental title after winning the gold medal in the 19th Asian Games.

The Philippines last won the Asian championship in 1985 in Kuala Lumpur with a team led by Hector Calma, Allan Caidic, and Samboy Lim and reinforced by naturalized players Jeff Moore and Dennis Still.

But it appears the Philippines must top Group D in order to have the best shot at going deep in the knockout round.

That is because in the event that Gilas falls to either No. 2 or No. 3 in Group D, the Philippines’ path to the finals could go through two-time defending champion Australia and Japan in either the quarterfinals or the semifinals.

According to the competition system, the second and third placers of Group D will be taking on the third- and second-placers of Group C respectively. The winner of those matches will advance to the quarterfinals and will be up against the top seeds of either Group A or Group B where a clash with Australia and Japan looms.

Australia, a powerhouse in world basketball and ranked No. 7 in the world, is seen as one of the favorites in the tournament, and is in the so-called ‘group of death’ with Korea, Lebanon, and Qatar in Group A.

Japan, on the other hand, is expected to top Group B, barring any major upsets, as the Asian representative in the 2024 Paris Olympics and No. 21 in the world is with Guam, Syria, and Iran.

If Gilas gets first place in Group D, however, the road to the finals will remain tough but could be a lot easier.

Again, according to the tournament format, the top seed of Group D will be going up against the winner of the qualification to the quarterfinals match between the No. 2 of Group B and the No. 3 of Group A, which could likely be either Korea, Qatar, Lebanon, or Iran.

A No. 1 seed in Group D could also mean a semifinal clash with the No. 1 of Group C that could be either China or Jordan - teams that Gilas have both beaten in the Asian Games.

PHOTO: Sherwin Vardeleon

Of course, it will still be a tough out for Gilas in such a quarterfinal scenario, but it could be the best situation for the team instead of facing either Australia or Japan early in the knockout stage.

But for now, Gilas will certainly take it one game at a time against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers in which they hold an even record against them.

So regardless, the route to its first Fiba Asia Cup (formerly ABC) championship in 40 years will in no way be easy.

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