The Philippines is set to face an old tormentor once again following the completion of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Draw on Tuesday night in Doha, Qatar.
Gilas was drawn into Group B with the world No. 21-ranked New Zealand, a team against whom they have had zero success in the FIBA stage at all levels.
In the last World Cup Qualifiers alone, the Filipino hoopers lost both of their meetings against the Tall Blacks by an average margin of 35.5 points.
However, they have a chance to change that in the home-and-away Asia Cup Qualifiers, with the first of three windows scheduled to be held in February next year.
Other teams that the Philippines will face in Group B include Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, the latter emerging from the Pre-Qualifiers.
The Asia Cup Qualifiers are crucial for Gilas Men as they could provide a glimpse of the program’s direction following another disappointing campaign in the World Cup, where they only secured one win in five outings.
Currently, the team’s primary focus is on the upcoming 19th Asian Games in China. It will be interesting to see what plans the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has in store as they enter another cycle of the continental meet.
The previous Asia Cup, held in Jakarta, saw the Philippines finish ninth, marking the country’s worst finish in the tournament since also finishing ninth in 2007.
The draw took place at the Ezdan Palace Hotel in the Qatari capital, with former Gilas captain Gabe Norwood serving as a special guest alongside Iranian legend Hamed Haddadi, who retired from international play after the recent World Cup.
Both icons assisted in conducting the proceedings, during which all 24 participating nations learned their respective groups and opponents.
