Group E for the second round of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers is now complete.
Joining Gilas Pilipinas, the Australia Boomers, and the New Zealand Tall Blacks are West Asian squads Iran, Jordan, and Syria.
Regardless of the result of today’s games, Australia will finish as the top seed from Group A, followed by New Zealand and the Philippines.
The fourth qualifying window, which is being eyed to be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, is scheduled for August 27 and 31.
Iran topped Group C with a 5-1 record, matching Jordan’s mark but claiming the No. 1 seed via the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Team Melli secured that advantage by defeating the Falcons, 67-49, in Amman on July 2 to open Window 3.
Mehdi Heydari paced Iran with 17 points, while Arsalan Kazemi contributed seven points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
(C) FIBA
Jordan was led by Jalen Harris and Ahmad Al Dwairi, who scored 18 and 17 points, respectively, in the loss.
Syria, meanwhile, claimed the final second-round berth after defeating Iraq, 91-81, also in Amman.
Donte McGill played all 40 minutes and finished with 27 points to lead the Syrians.
(C) FIBA
To close out the first round early Monday morning (Manila time), Iran defeated Syria, 73-52, while Jordan routed Iraq, 106-67, with both games played in Amman.
Matin Aghajanpour led Iran with 13 points and eight rebounds against Syria, while Heydari added 12 points.
For Jordan, Harris erupted for 28 points in just 22 minutes against Iraq, while Amin Abu Hawwas chipped in 22 points in 16 minutes.
Also-ran Iraq finished the first round winless at 0-6.
