THE picture has become clearer on what Gilas Pilipinas needs to do in order to advance to the quarterfinals of the 20th Asian Games men’s basketball competition, following Sunday’s games at the Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Sunday’s games saw Jordan take the No. 3 seed in Group B after its 81-68 loss to Iran and Chinese Taipei’s 91-69 win over Qatar. Saudi Arabia became the third-ranked team in Group A after its 100-89 win over Indonesia.
READ Iran, Chinese-Taipei punch tickets to Asiad basketball quarters
At the moment, the Philippines is in third place in Group C with a 1-1 win-loss record with still a game left to play against China on Monday.
Gilas is vying to, at least, become one of the two best third-placed teams at the end of the group stage in order to advance to the quarterfinals. The point differential of the teams will be the first basis to determine the two best third-placers.
Following Sunday’s games, the Philippines remains the best third-placed team with a +27 point differential with still one game to go against China on Monday. Jordan is the second best third-placed team with a -5, with Saudi Arabia at the rear with -11.
At the very least, Gilas can afford to lose to China but by a margin of 37 points or less in order to secure one of two best third-placed squads in the tournament.
If Gilas loses by exactly 38 points to China, both the Philippines and Saudi Arabia will have a -11 point differential. If that is the case, the team with the most points scored in the group stage will claim the quarterfinal berth, based on FIBA rules. But a 38-point loss is still good enough if Gilas scores 53 points or more against China.
If Gilas loses by 39 points or more, Jordan and Saudi Arabia will be the two best third-placed teams ending the Philippines' gold medal bid.
A win by Gilas, however, will be a much safer option for its title-retention bid.
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