THE quest of Asia teams to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics intensifies on Thursday with the start of the 2023 Fiba World Cup classification round to be held in three host countries including Manila.
Gilas Pilipinas turns its focus to one Asian berth in the Paris Games after three defeats in the group stage took it out of World Cup contention, taking on South Sudan at 8 p.m. at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
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All Asian teams including Iran, Jordan, China, and Lebanon will actually play on Thursday.
But aside from the games on the floor, there would be some scoreboard watching as well even prior to tip-off with the main focus on the game in Okinawa where Japan faces Venezuela at 7:10 p.m. (8:10 p.m. local time).

Why? Let me explain.
Below are the win-loss records of the Asia teams and their point difference prior to Thursday’s games that was carried over from the first round to the classification round. Take note that the point difference will be taken into account to break ties.
Asia teams win-loss record (with points differential}
Japan 1-2 (-28 point difference)
Philippines 0-3 (-23)
Iran 0-3 (-63)
Jordan 0-3 (-77)
China 0-3 (-80)
Lebanon 0-3 (-100)
As things stand, the game between Japan and Cape Verde will have a major effect on the Asian teams fighting for the Olympic berth.
How crucial is the Japan-Venezuela game to Gilas
A Japan win over Venezuela would dampen the bid of Gilas Pilipinas and other Asian teams for the Olympic berth. Already with a 1-2 win-loss record, another win by Japan would give it a huge edge in the race to Paris. This would also mean that Gilas must win over South Sudan as a defeat, along with a Japan win, would eliminate the Philippines from getting a spot in the Olympics through the World Cup - and render Saturday's game against China no-bearing.
Both games will end several minutes apart, with the Japan game as the first to conclude. So the fate of Gilas, barring extra time, will likely be known before the final buzzer sounds at the Big Dome.
In the event of a Japan defeat, Gilas must still win over South Sudan to match the record of the Akatsuki Five. A win would give Gilas the lead in the race due to a superior point difference that Gilas still owns even before Thursday’s games. This would set the stage for the all-important final day of the classification round on Saturday when the Philippines faces China at the Big Dome and the Japan takes on Cape Verde in Okinawa.
To put it simply, the best case for Gilas is a Japan defeat on Thursday night, and take care of business with win over South Sudan. It would suddenly push Gilas right back in the thick of contention for the Paris berth heading to Saturday’s game.
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