THE knockout stage in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 is underway with Gilas Pilipinas facing off against host Saudi Arabia for a place in the quarterfinals. Following a grueling group stage, the Philippines eventually clinched a place in the qualification to the quarterfinals game after its lone win over Iraq in Group D.
READ China, Iran join Australia, New Zealand in Asia Cup quarterfinals
Here is a preview of the game.
SAUDI ARABIA VS. PHILIPPINES
When: Monday, August 10, 7 p.m. Jeddah time / Tuesday, August 11, 12 midnight Philippines time
Where: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
Knockout game for a quarterfinal berth
Gilas Pilipinas and Saudi Arabia contest a place in the quarterfinals in Monday’s (Tuesday Manila time) contest. The Philippines caught the last bus to the knockout rounds after its 66-57 win over Iraq last Saturday and secure third place in Group D. Saudi Arabia clinched No. 2 in Group C with an 84-59 win over India last Thursday after a stunning win over Jordan days earlier.
Winner faces Australia
The winner of the primetime game that is expected to attract a mix of local and Filipino fans will face Australia in the quarterfinals. The Boomers topped Group A with a 3-0 win-loss record, completing the sweep with a 110-92 win over Qatar last Saturday.
Players to watch
Muhammad-Ali Abdur Rahkhman is the main source of offense for Saudi Arabia. The 30-year-old who will play in Italy next season averaged 23.7 points while also making nine out of 30 three-point shots throughout the tournament. The 6-foot-4 guard who once played for the Canton Charge in the NBA G League also grabbed 5.6 rebounds in this tournament.
Mohammed Alsuwailem will be the man in the middle that June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, and Japeth Aguilar will be battling inside. The 6-foot-10 center is averaging 14.7 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in the group stage.
Khalid Abdel Gabar can do it all for Saudi Arabia, averaging 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. He is familiar with Gilas, having faced the Filipinos during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers where he averaged 12.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.0 assists during the two games that the teams went up against each other.
Psychological advantage for Gilas
Speaking of those two games, Gilas swept Saudi Arabia during that World Cup qualifying tournament, giving the Nationals the psychological edge. Led by Jordan Clarkson’s 23 points, Gilas routed Saudi Arabia, 84-46, in their August 29, 2022 game at the Mall of Asia Arena, before repeating it in their November 13, 2022 match, coincidentally held at the King Abdullah Sports City, with a 76-63 win with Kai Sotto contributing 11 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks in the match-up.
Home crowd against Filipino crowd
Expect a mammoth crowd for the game between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines which is going to be a mix of locals and Filipinos based in the Middle East. Filipino fans have been trooping to the venue in each of the three games, but so does the Saudi Arabia crowd.
Justin Brownlee looks to get out of slump
Justin Brownlee was misfiring in Gilas’ win over Iraq, making just one three-pointer on five attempts and finishing with only eight points. While other players stepped up in his struggles, Brownlee must regain his shooting touch against Saudi Arabia, otherwise Gilas will be in trouble.
Force turnovers
Gilas showed its defensive fortitude by forcing Iraq to 16 turnovers in the victory. They need to repeat the effort as Saudi Arabia also has a tendency to commit a lot of errors, averaging 11.3 a game including 15 in its win over Jordan in the group stage.
Rebound story
Gilas has won the rebound battle in two of their three games during the group stage, and they need to control it again for this match-up. With Alsuwailem inside the paint, Saudi Arabia is averaging 41.3 a game, not far behind Gilas Pilipinas which has 42.7.
Don’t worry if Scottie goes scoreless
Scottie Thompson’s scoring numbers have gone down since scoring 16 in the first game against Chinese Taipei, but don’t let that fool you. Thompson has been contributing in other departments, grabbing seven rebounds against New Zealand and dishing out seven assists against Iraq. Thompson has given stability to the Gilas offense, which the team will need again for the Saudi Arabia game.
Calvin Oftana doubtful against Saudi
Calvin Oftana sustained a Grade 1 ankle sprain in the final minutes of the match against Iraq. Oftana sustained his injury just shortly after he made a three, just his second in the tournament. More than his scoring, Oftana’s defense against tall guards will be missed if he doesn’t play. He is averaging 1.3 steals in the tournament including three against Iraq. If he doesn’t play, this could mean Jamie Malonzo finally seeing action for Gilas.
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