Gilas coaches choose Group A in FIBA Asia to avoid early knockout meeting with Iran, China Rey Joble, InterAKTV As host of the FIBA Asia Championship, the Philippines had the privilege of choosing its group in the tournament during Thursday’s draw. The coaches of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team chose to join Group A, which puts it in the same bracket as Chinese Taipei, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. According to the team’s brain trust, the move would allow Gilas to target avoiding an early clash with powerhouse teams China and Iran, the last two nations to win the FIBA Asia Championship. Gilas assistant Norman Black made the selection for the team while in constant contact with coach Chot Reyes, who is currently with the squad in Lithuania. The top three teams from Group A will join the top three from Group B, which is comprised of Hong Kong, Japan, Lebanon, and Qatar. Those six teams will form Group E in the second round. Group A- Chinese Taipei, Philippines, Jordan, Saudi Arabia Group B- Japan, Qatar, Lebanon, Hong Kong Group C- China South Korea, Iran, Southeast Asian Qualifier 2 Group D- Bahrain, India, Kazakhstan, Southeast Asian Qualifier 1 China and Iran are expected to top the opposite group, meaning Gilas will have to finish in the top two of Group E to avoid either team in the knockout quarterfinals. As host of the tournament, the Philippines also has the privilege of choosing its opponent on opening day.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:20:45 +0000
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