IT was not the start that Gilas Pilipinas had hoped for, as the Nationals suffered a 95-87 defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
READ: Chinese Taipei shoots down Gilas in stunning FIBA Asia Cup opener
Filipino basketball fans were deprived of not only sleep but also a win on Wednesday morning that would have brought optimism to the national team’s campaign.
The loss has made the path to the gold medal Gilas is aiming for a tougher one. The Philippines is now slated to play a familiar foe in world No. 22 New Zealand on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in a game with big implications to their campaign.
Both teams split their matches in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, with the Filipinos winning at home last November, and the Tall Blacks avenging that defeat last February.
Here are the possible scenarios for Gilas ahead of its crucial matchup against New Zealand.
WIN
A win by Gilas against New Zealand will still give them a shot at taking the No. 1 spot in Group D and an outright slot in the quarterfinals. However, their fate is no longer in their hands, as that chance will depend on the result of Chinese Taipei’s game against Iraq, to be played earlier in that day, and against New Zealand, its final game of the group stage. A sweep by Chinese Taipei of their Group D games will secure them the automatic quarterfinal berth.
At the very least, if the Philippines is victorious vs. the Kiwis, the route to the quarterfinals could be through a qualification game against either the second-placer or third-placer of Group C.
Group C is composed of China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia. As of this writing, China and Jordan are on top of Group C following victories against Saudi Arabia and India, respectively
LOSS
Another defeat by Gilas will put them out of contention for that No. 1 spot in Group D. Nonetheless, it will still have a chance at the quarterfinals through the knockout qualification game.
However, if it loses to New Zealand, the Philippines faces a must-win game against Iraq in order to make it to that qualification game.
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