Gilas Pilipinas will play in Group D of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 alongside New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Iraq.
Familiar foes await Gilas Pilipinas come the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
The Philippines are drawn with Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, and Iraq in Group D of the preliminary stages of the tournament to be held on August 5-17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Back in February in the final window of the qualifiers, Gilas dropped consecutive road games to a revamped Taiwanese squad and the Tall Blacks, finishing second in their group with a 4-2 record.
[ALSO READ: Chinese Taipei stuns Gilas Pilipinas in Window 3 of FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers]
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas fall flat vs New Zealand to end FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers]
However, Gilas Pilipinas beat both Chinese Taipei and New Zealand at home in the earlier windows, which fueled the national team's early qualification to the FIBA Asia Cup proper..
In four months time, the three same teams will see action anew, alongside world no. 92 Iraq in Group D of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
The first place teams in all groups gain direct entry to the quarterfinals, while second and third-placed teams will then compete in a crossover knockout phase to complete the final eight.
A brewing development for Gilas Pilipinas is the injury of Kai Sotto and the status of Justin Brownlee after another potential doping issue.
[ALSO READ: SBP aware of Justin Brownlee's notice of an adverse analytical finding]
Elsewhere, defending back-to-back champions Australia joined South Korea, Lebanon, and Qatar in Group A – perhaps the toughest bracket in the competition.
World no. 21 Japan, who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, are drawn with three-time tournament winners Iran, Syria, and Guam.
Rounding up Group C are China, Jordan, India, and host Saudi Arabia.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]