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    Gilas-Boomers rematch could come in 2021 during Fiba Asia Cup

    Philippines, Australia most likely due for face-off next year
    Jul 2, 2020

    TWO years after their infamous brawl, the Philippines and Australia will most likely face each other again next year when the Fiba Asia Cup is held.

    The rematch could come in 2021 when the Fiba Asia Cup is played where the Philippines and Australia are expected to figure prominently in the tournament. The Philippines and Australia are not bracketed in the same group in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers, which means they will not be facing each other when the qualification process resumes after the COVID-19 pandemic.

    That leaves the two possibly battling in the main competition in 2021 either in the group stage depending on the results of the draw, or even in the later stage of the competition when the battle for the crown intensifies.

    All eyes, at least for both nations, could be on the rematch when that game is scheduled. Gilas Pilipinas and the Boomers have not squared off exactly two years since the full-scale brawl at the Philippine Arena erupted between the two teams after a forearm by Daniel Kickert over RR Pogoy started a bench-clearing incident.

    The aftermath led to unprecedented sanctions with Chot Reyes being suspended for a game and fined 10,000 Swiss franc, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas slapped with a 250,000 Swiss franc fine, and losing the right to host two home games with spectators.

    Calvin Abueva was slapped with a six-game suspension, while Pogoy, Kickert, Carl Bryan Cruz, and Jio Jalalon were penalized with a five-game ban. Eight more players, six from the Philippines were also suspended.

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    The return match could come sometime between August 17 to 29, 2021, the new date of the Fiba Asia Cup after the Tokyo Olympics was moved to next year. Under the ongoing qualification process, the top two teams in each of the six groups will advance to the Fiba Asia Cup with Gilas and the Boomers expected to get two of the spots.

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      Sixteen nations will see action in the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup and they will be grouped into four. The top four teams take an outright quarterfinal spots, with the next two teams in each group fighting for the remaining four berths with their counterparts.

      Being the reigning champions, Australia is expected to be a strong contender for the four outright quarterfinal spots, along with the likes of Iran, New Zealand and South Korea, the team that the Philippines lost to in the quarterfinals of the Fiba Asia Cup in 2017.

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      When that time comes that the Philippines and Australia collide, mark your calendars.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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