GILAS Pilipinas brought joy to the Filipino fans over the weekend when it swept its games in the fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
By beating Jordan in overtime, 82-81, and Iran, 67-56, Gilas Pilipinas improved its win-loss record to 4-4. And although the team remains in fifth place in Group E, Gilas Pilipinas put itself in the hunt to secure tickets to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.
The top three teams in each of the two groups and the best fourth-placed squad will join host Qatar as Asian representatives in the World Cup.
READ: Grateful Cone says Kai Sotto the 'difference maker' in Gilas sweep
If the qualifiers end today, Gilas Pilipinas will not secure a World Cup slot with Australia (8-0) and New Zealand (6-2) occupying the top two spots in Group E, with Iran (5-3) and Jordan (5-3) joining them for meeting the criteria of one of the top three teams in the group and the best fourth-placed team among the two groups.
If the qualifiers also end today, the Group F teams that will clinch World Cup berths are Japan (6-2), Lebanon (6-2), and China (5-3).
But there are still two windows to go, and Gilas Pilipinas actually has one of the best situations among the other squads racing for World Cup squads.
Next assignments
Gilas Pilipinas will go up against Group E last placer Syria on November 27, and Iran on November 30. It also has Jordan on February 25 and Syria again on February 28, relatively lighter opponents compared to Jordan and Iran.
Jordan has the two Oceania teams in New Zealand on November 27 and Australia on November 30. After the Philippines game on February 25, the Falcons go up against New Zealand again on February 28.
Iran also has Australia on November 27 before the Philippines game on November 30, before Team Melli closes the qualifiers with the Oceania teams New Zealand on February 25 and Australia on February 28.
Best scenario for Gilas
By the end of the November window, Gilas Pilipinas could actually have the inside track of the World Cup berths for Asia.
The best case for Gilas Pilipinas is to sweep the November matches, and Iran and Jordan lose their games in that window. If Gilas Pilipinas takes care of business in the next window, Gilas Pilipinas would go up the third spot in Group E with a 6-4 win-loss record, well inside the first criteria to make it to the World Cup, which is the top three finishers in the two groups.
Gilas Pilipinas’ sweep of the August window was actually huge for them as it has better control of its destiny for the World Cup berths instead of the other teams.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
