The road gets tougher for Gilas Pilipinas after dominating the 2017 SEABA Championship.
The reigning kings of Southeast Asian basketball has been slotted with China, Qatar, and Iraq to compose Group B for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.
Lebanon will host the tournament from August 8 to 20. The draw was held in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday afternoon.
During the 2015 edition of the tournament, then-known as the Asia Championship, Gilas Pilipinas fell to hosts China, 67-78. An Olympic berth was at stake during the tournament.
This time, the tournament will determine the seedings for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Three teams will advance from the group stages with the top-ranked team automatically advancing to the quarterfinals while the second and third place teams duke it out in the qualification round.
The playoffs will have a knock-out system.
The 2017 FIBA Asia Cup was moved a week earlier and will not coincide with the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
