Gilas open Fiba bid vs Saudis

The Gilas Pilipinas’ quest for a slot in the 2014 World Championships begins on Aug. 1 against Saudi Arabia, according to the schedule of the Fiba-Asia Men’s Championship that was released by Fiba late Monday.

The Gilas are bracketed in Group A in this prestigious tournament that will be staged in Manila for the first time in several decades.

Though Saudi is not considered to be a threat to the Gilas, the Nationals’ next opponent in the group stage certainly is as they will be facing off against Jordan. The two games are set to start 8:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Gilas’ last game is surely to rouse interest as it will be against regional rivals Chinese Taipei. It will be a match with heavy political undertones in the wake of Chinese Taipei’s decision to withdraw its invitation to the Gilas to participate in the annual Jones Cup, where the Filipinos are the champions. This was brought about by diplomatic tensions after the alleged fatal shooting by Filipino authorities of a Taiwanese fisherman on disputed waters.

The opening day schedule will have two-time champion Iran takes on Malaysia at 11 a.m., Jordan faces Chinese-Taipei at 1:15 p.m., Japan meets Qatar at 3:30 p.m., defending champion China tangles with South Korea at 5:45 p.m. and Lebanon clashes with Hong Kong at 10:30 p.m. – all the SM MOA Arena.

Over at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Kazakhstan faces Thailand at 6 p.m. and India meets Bahrain at 8:30 p.m.

On Day 2, Aug. 2, at the MOA Arena, China meets Malaysia at 11 a.m., Chinese-Taipei battles Saudi Arabia at 1:15 p.m., Japan tangles with Hong Kong at 3:30 p.m., South Korea faces Iran at 5:45 p.m., and Qatar collides with Lebanon at 10:30 p.m. At Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Thailand clashes with India at 6 p.m. and Kazakhstan faces Bahrain at 8:30 p.m.

On Day 3, Aug. 3, at the MOA Arena, Malaysia and South Korea meet at 11 a.m., India and Kazakhstan tangle at 1:15 p.m., Lebanon and Japan face off at 3:30 p.m., Iran and China clash at 5:45 p.m., and Saudi Arabia and Jordan meet at 10:30 p.m. And at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Bahrain and Thailand clash at 6 p.m., and Hong Kong and Qatar meet at 8:30 p.m.

The top three teams from each group move up to the second round, with the qualifiers from Groups A and B comprising the six-team Group E, and those coming from Groups C and D making up the six-team Group F.

The top three finishers in the FIBA Asia meet will qualify to the FIBA World Cup next year in Madrid.