Gilas in KO Match VS Saudis in Asiad

Manila Philippines-The Smart Gilas Pilipinas will play unpredictable Saudi Arabia in a Knockout match in the first round in the Asian Games in Ghuangzhou china next motnh

This was announced after the draw for the opening round was held last Thursday and the National Face a must wins against the Saudi in Group B to advance the second round Group F where Asian powerhouse Iran,Qatar,Chinese Taipei and Japan were seeded as well as the group Dwinner.

Other preliminary pairings are HongKong North Korea in Group A.Turkmenistan and Mongolian Group C,and Afgahnistan and India and Group D

Defending Asian Game champions China leads the other seeded teams in the second round group E.together with South Korea Jordan and Uzbekistan.the winner off Group Aand C will join the bracket in next round

After the Knockout preliminary stages,The second round will be a single round robin.The top four teams in Groups Eand F will move to the croosover quarterfinals.

Samahan ng Basketbol Pilipinas (SBP)executive director Noli Eala said on Friday that the groupings -particularly the outrigth slots in the second round must have been decided according to finished during the 2006 Asian Games Doha Qatar

The Philippines was bared from competiting in Doha Games because of a suspension by FIBA,The world governing body for basketball.The ban was lifted the following year,allowing the national team to play in the FIBA Asia Championship in Tokushima Japan.

By:Waylon Galvez mb.com.ph