FIBA-Asia Cup 2025 Saudi Arabia

[sroth38392]

It sure it is… Saudi able to host major sporting events such as FIFA club World Cup, Esports World Cup, major boxing and Golf events, able to grab big time football players to play for Saudi clubs such as Ronaldo and Neymar, they will also host Asian games and FIFA World Cup both in 2034… they are also hosting some F1 events and WWE.. I mean Middle East is now the hotbed of international sporting events this modern era… With Qatar taking the FIBA World Cup in 2027, only confirm announcement by FIBA in the future that they will give hosting rights to Saudi in next edition, probably 2035 after finishing hosting duties of FIFA WC and Asian Games (by the way Qatar will host 2030 Asian games too)…

I mean in terms of every day life. Like, do they allow alcohol in hotels now? Are there cinemas now? Is there still religious police being assholes around town?

My dad worked in Riyadh and Dammam. Both places were strict and really boring. Good thing dad was an introvert and content with reading books on weekends.

 

[Rodbi2]

I mean in terms of every day life. Like, do they allow alcohol in hotels now? Are there cinemas now? Is there still religious police being assholes around town?

My dad worked in Riyadh and Dammam. Both places were strict and really boring. Good thing dad was an introvert and content with reading books on weekends.

I believe there are cinemas again now. Alcoholic drinks, I don't think so. The younger gen ruler may be progressive but he's not that progressive when it comes to liquor. But whatever, Pinoy (and also other expats) alcoholics still get their fix with the home-made moonshine.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

I mean in terms of every day life. Like, do they allow alcohol in hotels now? Are there cinemas now? Is there still religious police being assholes around town?

My dad worked in Riyadh and Dammam. Both places were strict and really boring. Good thing dad was an introvert and content with reading books on weekends.

Yes in Cinemas... But in alcoholic drinks, There are certain drinks that are allowed and not allowed... Women are now allowed to drive on their own, Hijabs for women are not strictly prohibited now and Immigrants were having comfortable these days, although they should obey the rules but not like that strict compare 20 years ago... KSA government looking their major cities like Dubai and make an open city in 2030...

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

I believe there are cinemas again now. Alcoholic drinks, I don't think so. The younger gen ruler may be progressive but he's not that progressive when it comes to liquor. But whatever, Pinoy (and also other expats) alcoholics still get their fix with the home-made moonshine.

Actually beers like San Miguel are now in KSA market.... Little by little, KSA government wants their major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah and those newly built cities such as Neom to be a Open city same as Dubai..

 

[Rodbi2]

Actually beers like San Miguel are now in KSA market.... Little by little, KSA government wants their major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah and those newly built cities such as Neom to be a Open city same as Dubai..

That's actually great from them. It doesn't have to be fully blown open like Dubai, just have some semblance of being an open country, like Jeddah in my short time there. They can keep Makkah and Madinah the way they are though, just to keep the muttawas and fundamentalists comfortable and not become disillusioned with the current ruler.

 

[sroth38392]

That's actually great from them. It doesn't have to be fully blown open like Dubai, just have some semblance of being an open country, like Jeddah in my short time there. They can keep Makkah and Madinah the way they are though, just to keep the muttawas and fundamentalists comfortable and not become disillusioned with the current ruler.

It looks more like they want to do the Qatar route.

Qatar isn't as liberal as the UAE but not as conservative as Saudi either.

 

[Rodbi2]

It looks more like they want to do the Qatar route.

Qatar isn't as liberal as the UAE but not as conservative as Saudi either.

One heck of an improvement if ever it materializes. Current leadership must have figured that can't rely on oil money forever in sustaining the Saudi way of life. Might as well build something else out of it like taking advantage of it to boost sports tourism in KSA. A few decades late but better late than never.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

That's actually great from them. It doesn't have to be fully blown open like Dubai, just have some semblance of being an open country, like Jeddah in my short time there. They can keep Makkah and Madinah the way they are though, just to keep the muttawas and fundamentalists comfortable and not become disillusioned with the current ruler.

That's their project... Remember, they will host 2 big time tournaments such as FIFA WC and Asian Games... It will create tourism opportunities for them... As for FIBA, Don't be surprise if they will bid hosting FIBA WC OR Hosting a NBA pre season games in the future... Like Qatar and UAE, Saudi wants to promote their country as one of the tourism hubs for this century... I'm sure Filipinos there in Jeddah are now excited to see Gilas again, The last time Gilas came to Jeddah for a FIBA match vs KSA, It was a full pack event, mostly Filipinos watch (almost 90%)... I hope SBP will take serious the event, Don't disappoint Filipinos there to watch Gilas... Last 2022 edition, SBP didn't take FIBA Asia cup seriously, as result to dropped their rankings from 32 to 41 (now 38)... Lebanon meanwhile, After getting good results last FIBA Asia cup and good WC run, they are already rank 27 from rank 54 before FIBA Asia cup...

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

One heck of an improvement if ever it materializes. Current leadership must have figured that can't rely on oil money forever in sustaining the Saudi way of life. Might as well build something else out of it like taking advantage of it to boost sports tourism in KSA. A few decades late but better late than never.

Getting Cristiano Ronaldo is huge for Saudi, from sporting world, economy and tourism... CR7 become the brand ambassador of KSA especially in tourism... He is currently the most famous person (not just an athlete) in the world today...Saudi was known for Human rights controversy and Oil hub nation before CR7 came...

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

My possible Gilas 2025 roster:

The possible shoo ins:

Scottie
Perez
Newsome
Ramos
Oftana
Malonzo
Abando
Kai
Junmar
Edu

NP: Kouame or JB (depending if JB's case is already done)

While toss up for last slot for guys like Amos, Quiambao, Lopez



And i hope CTC will coach that roster for 2025... That line up has a tools to be a finalist at FIBA Asia cup facing Australia... Especially if Japan will not bring Watanabe and Hachimura... Many says FIBA Asia cup is just only "Stand Alone tournament" and Glorified "Jones Cup"... But the reality is not... This tournament will serve as our stepping stone for 2028 Olympics because rankings is important to have a good chance to have a good Draw for 2027 FIBA WC... The target should be rank 25 - 30 to be exact... Having a low rankings will cause our chance getting in 2028 Olympics as Best Asian finisher are very slim... That's why FIBA Asia cup should treat very seriously to get high ranking points coming to 2027 FIBA WC...

 

[IPC2]

Barring any injuries, I can see the following from that list making it till 2027 WC (assuming we qualify):

Dwight
Kai
Edu
KQ
Tamayo

For 2025 Asia Cup:

Dwight
Kai
Edu
Tamayo
Brownlee
KQ
Oftana
Scottie
Newsome

​If your projected core does materialize, that's pretty much a mix of youth and age. Average age of 28.33, right around an average age of a NT. That looks to be the rotation. Need a 3rd center, and two of either a backup ballhandler, a long wing defender, or a shooter.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

​If your projected core does materialize, that's pretty much a mix of youth and age. Average age of 28.33, right around an average age of a NT. That looks to be the rotation. Need a 3rd center, and two of either a backup ballhandler, a long wing defender, or a shooter.

Junmar will be the 3rd center... And i'm sure the line up that CTC announced will be the line up for 2025 FIBA Asia cup, You know CTC, He doesn't want late additional players, especially if the tournament is approaching... Hoping Tamayo and KQ will improve their shooting more...

 

[bluenote492]

There should be a way to add Balti & Lopez to the pool. Whoever their handler is, I hope the SPB is reaching out to them.

 

[Sikatrix2]

There should be a way to add Balti & Lopez to the pool. Whoever their handler is, I hope the SPB is reaching out to them.

The issue is there is no pool, probably just temporary replacements in case on injury. Hopefully they allow them to be practice players. And in Balti's case, he could be AJ's injury replacement if unhealthy.

 

[thatweirdguy2]

The issue is there is no pool, probably just temporary replacements in case on injury. Hopefully they allow them to be practice players. And in Balti's case, he could be AJ's injury replacement if unhealthy.

Why isn't there a pool in the first place anyway?

 

[Sikatrix2]

Why isn't there a pool in the first place anyway?

CTC wants a team. Twelve main guys who ideally stay together and build cohesion. More likely though is changes occur over time but gradual change instead of a pool system wherein quick changes can occur.

 

[bluenote492]

CTC wants a team. Twelve main guys who ideally stay together and build cohesion. More likely though is changes occur over time but gradual change instead of a pool system wherein quick changes can occur.

I get the idea but imo should be 15! The last three can be reserved for the top amateur players who are willing to accept the role. Since I don't see Lopez & Balti as reserved, Chiu, Raven, and Alas would be perfect.​

 

[JAMSKIE2]

I have a feeling that after the 1st window, coach Tim will name additional players to transform this 12-man team into a pool, perhaps an 18-man pool.

I feel this 12-man roster that coach Tim has named will make up the core of the Gilas pool that will be regular fixtures of the national team in the next 4 years or so. Obviously there are a No. of names which are not part of that 12-man roster that also deserve to be there - Jordan Heading, Rhenz Abando, Robert Bolick, Justin Baltazar.

 

[Rds2]

There should be a way to add Balti & Lopez to the pool. Whoever their handler is, I hope the SPB is reaching out to them.

Balti is the best defensive PF we have there and even can play C. JF, Kai and Tamayo have not been excellent defenders for their position against higher comp. Well it’s a long time since we saw Carl but what do we if AJ is injured. Can we be certain that a frontline of JB and Malonzo can handle it alone?

So I dont really think it’s set the12 will be the ones repeesenting us in the end. There are too many things that can happen and too many good players left out. I really think that politics is the reason why guys like Balti, Heading and Bollick are out. I hope in 4 years they will fix their relationship with PBA/SMC so they can be picked.

The team doesnt have a lights out shooter. KQ is good but at this point he can be game planned. Heading was the sole local who was scoring in the Dubai finals. I cant believe you will pick KQ without picking him unless politics was also considered.

 

[Metta2]

I have a feeling that CTC doesn't want to make a pool because he hates having guys training/working/sacrificing only to be cut at the last moment.

With having a set 12, there's no cuts. If a spot arises, then that's the only time you get another player who is guaranteed a spot.