Justin Brownlee and Gilas Pilipinas will encounter a familiar opponent in the group stages of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The Philippines has been placed in Group C alongside Jordan, Bahrain, and Thailand.
The ‘Al Nashama’ are currently racing against time to complete the naturalization process for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a key step for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
(C) Jordan Basketball Federation
It’s worth remembering that Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson led Ginebra and TNT, respectively, to the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Final.
There, the Tropang Giga clinched the series in six games.
(C) PBA Images
During the 2019 edition of the tournament, Gilas Men secured fifth place among the 13 participating teams.
This time around, the continental event will feature 16 competing teams.
Group A consists of Iran, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, while Group B comprises China, Chinese-Taipei, Lebanon, and Mongolia. Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Qatar are placed in Group C.
(C) FIBA.basketball
On the other hand, Gilas Women will make their return to the Asiad after a 25-year absence.
In their first Asian Games appearance in a quarter-century, they have been grouped in Group B alongside Japan, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, and China.
Other participating nations in the women’s event include China, India, Indonesia, and Mongolia in Group A; and South Korea, Chinese-Taipei, North Korea, and Thailand in Group C.
