Gilas will meet old foes as groupings for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 have been determined following the draw held Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Philippines finds itself squaring up against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei anew as it was drawn into Group D, which also features Iraq.
The three teams formed part of the four-way Group B back in the Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, which saw the Filipino dribblers pick up impressive wins against the other two — and absorb crushing losses as well.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Gilas, after years of mastery over the Taiwanese, found themselves stunned by a 91-84 defeat back in Window 3 in Taipei — no thanks to a Lu Chun-Hsian dagger.
They eventually fell to 0-2 in the said leg after losing to the Tall Blacks afterwards.
It was one of the most awaited rematches of the Qualifiers after Coach Tim Cone & Co. pulled off a massive upset against the team from Oceania back in Window 2 last November, a 92-88 result at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It marked the first time that the Philippines beat New Zealand in a FIBA competition but the latter exacted revenge come Window 3, with Coach Judd Flavell’s wards coming away with the 87-70 victory at home in Christchurch.
In August, Gilas could get back at them, but not to be slighted is the team from West Asia, which is coming back to the Asia Cup after eight years — or since last competing in the 2017 edition held in Beirut, Lebanon.
Iraq claimed the last ticket by knocking out Bahrain, 85-72, in the final game of the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place Teams last March in Manama.
A total of 16 teams are set to compete in the August 5-17 showpiece, with defending two-time champions Australia situated in Group A together with 2022 runners-up Lebanon, FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 host Qatar, and Korea.
Japan, Iran, Syria, and Guam compose Group B, while 16-time champions China, the host nation, Jordan, and India make up Group C.
