A REMATCH between Gilas Pilipinas and Chinese Taipei is on the horizon following the classic victory of the Philippines against Saudi Arabia last Monday in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
Gilas Pilipinas kept its hopes alive for the Asia Cup crown after beating host country Saudi Arabia in overtime, 95-88, behind the heroics of Justin Brownlee. Earlier in the day, Chinese Taipei also advanced to the quarterfinals after overcoming Jordan, 78-64.
Being on the same side of the bracket, Gilas Pilipinas and Chinese Taipei could face each other in the semifinals. The two teams are both in Group D with Gilas Pilipinas losing to Chinese Taipei, 95-87, last August 5 behind the 34-point explosion of Chen Ying-Chun.
READ: Brownlee saves day again in Gilas' NSD comeback vs host Saudi
Of course, Gilas Pilipinas and Chinese Taipei must take care of business first before rematch will come into fruition by winning their respective quarterfinal games on Wednesday.
Odds are stacked against them with Chinese Taipei going up against Iran, which went undefeated in Group B where Team Melli also defeated Japan.
The Philippines will have an even tougher task as it battles Australia in the last eight. The Boomers also went unbeaten in Group A to start their bid for a third straight FIBA Asia Cup crown.
Australia is ranked No. 7 in the world although there are no NBA players on the Boomers roster for the FIBA Asia Cup tournament.
It will also be the first time that Gilas Pilipinas will face Australia since the brawl that erupted on July 2, 2018 at the Philippine Arena during their 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers match.
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