When the tournament conducts its draw ceremony on Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, GILAS Pilipinas will find out which teams they will face during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 group stage.
The 16 participating teams have been divided into four groups according to their FIBA rankings, and the Philippines will face one opponent from each group. As the host nation, Saudi Arabia opted to be placed in Pot 1.
The lottery draw will take place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. GMT (6 p.m. Philippine Standard Time).
According to the draft seeding, the Filipinos will face a team from either Australia, Japan, New Zealand, or Saudi Arabia in Pot 1; Jordan, South Korea, Syria, or Chinese Taipei in Pot 3; and India, Qatar, Guam, or Iraq in Pot 4.
Gilas falls into Pot 2 along with Iran, Lebanon, and China, indicating they will not encounter these countries unless all of them progress to the playoff stage.
Familiar faces await Gilas
In the group stage, potential adversaries for Filipino players could be New Zealand. This is a squad against whom they have had mixed outcomes during qualifying matches—triumphing over the Tall Blacks with a score of 93-89 in November at the Mall of Asia Arena, yet succumbing to them with an 87-70 loss in Auckland back in February.
PHOTO: Patrick Romero
Gilas might also end up facing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jordan from Pot 3 again, reminiscent of their clash for the gold medal at the 19th Asian Games. The TNT import qualifies to participate in the tournament as he is a naturalized player representing Jordan.
Another Team 3 squad from Chinese Taipei is another possible rival during the group stage, a side that beat the Philippines with a score of 91-84 in the February window, led by players such as Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga.
Gilas might face Jericho Cruz during the group stage since he has been playing for Guam in FIBA tournaments. Guam ended up in Pot 4 following their qualification for the Asia Cup via a qualifying competition held last March.
Australia and Japan are also under consideration, with Australia as the reigning champion of the Asia Cup and Japan having eliminated the Philippines, 102-81, in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 qualifiers en route to reaching the quarterfinals.