Must-win situation for the Philippines, with a condition.
With two losses, Gilas Pilipinas is in a tough situation to make it out of the first round of the FIBA World Cup.
Group A scenarios
Not only must the world no. 40 Philippines win against world no. 10 Italy on Tuesday, Gilas Pilipinas (0-2) must do so by 12 points or more. Filipinos would also have to pray that the Dominican Republic, now at 2-0, would beat Angola and sweep Group A.
Otherwise, the Philippines will be eliminated from contention.
The Azzurri, after a shocking loss to the Dominicana, must beat Gilas if they want to advance. Italy (1-1) would be eliminated from contention with a loss to the Philippines and an Angola win.
Italy would also be eliminated with a loss by 12 points or more and a win by the Dominican Republic.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Liz, and the rest of the Dominican Republic (2-0) are still in danger of elimination if they lose to Angola by 10 points or more AND if Italy beats the Philippines. All other scenarios would push them through to the next phase.
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernando, Childe Dundao, and the rest of the Black Antelopes (1-1) can advance if they beat the Dominican Republic AND the Philippines beats Italy.
Angola can also push through if they beat the Dominican Republic by 10 points or more AND Italy beats the Philippines.
Who is through to the next round?
Two heavyweight squads have secured their spots in the second round—USA and Spain.
The winners of the last two FIBA World Cups joined Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, and Montenegro for the next stage.
Spain, the reigning champions, will seek to continue their top 10 appearance streak after a victory over Brazil and Cote d'Ivoire in Group G at the Indonesia Arena.
Meanwhile, USA won the showdown against Greece and beat New Zealand in Group C at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Three Asian teams are out of contention—Lebanon, Iran, and Jordan. They join France, Finland, Egypt, and Mexico in the classification phase.
(CF, GM)