The new era of Gilas Pilipinas basketball begins this September.
The drawing of groups for the 2016 FIBA Asia Challenge Cup was released Monday afternoon, with Gilas Pilipinas being drawn in Group B together with India and Chinese-Taipei.
Based on the current FIBA rankings, Chinese-Taipei are the top-ranked in the group at 36th, while the Philippines are not far behind, ranked 38th. India are ranked 52nd in the world.
Tournament Format:
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All Three (3) teams from each group advance to the Second Round where they will be divided into two (2) groups of six (6). Each team will play against the three (3) new teams in its group.
The top four (4) teams from each group advance to the Quarter-Finals.
The Final Phase will be played in a knockout format from the Quarter-Finals onwards (Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final).
The top five teams in the FIBA Asia Challenge will earn for their respective sub-zones an extra berth in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup (formerly the FIBA Asia Championship).
The tournament starts on September 9 and Tehran, Iran, will host the tournament.
Recently, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas released the 24-man pool for the national team headlined by Gilas veterans Bobby Ray Parks and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser. Collegiate standouts Kiefer Ravena, Mac Belo, Jio Jalalon, and Kevin Ferrer are also part of the shortlist, together with PBA pros JP Erram and Almond Vosotros.
Josh Reyes, son of former national team head coach Chot Reyes, will serve as the lead mentor for the team.
