FIBA-Asia Cup 2025 Saudi Arabia

[sroth38392]

So who would be the 7 teams that will probably compete for the 7 slots as Asian representatives to the 2027 FIBA World Cup? Qatar is already qualified by virtue of being the host, right?

I think it would be, Australia, New Zealand, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan, Philippines, China, Korea, Japan that would compete for that 7 slots.

Chinese Taipei, Saudi Arabia & Kazakhstan may also join the fray.

​

There is a chance that 2 or 3 major Asia/Pacific contenders will be out of the race... One bad start in early qualifying WC windows will have already a hard time to recover and lose opportunity... That's why this current move by SBP led by Tim cone is a must, atleast by start of 1st window of WC qualifiers on November 2025 they are already on shape to beat teams in our group... Especially in East region, where tougher teams already on the same group as early as 1st to 3rd window..

Australia and New Zealand are easy to predict. They will always send competitive teams. That's two slots gone.

Which leaves 5 spots to be competed by:

China
Philippines
Japan
Korea
Lebanon
Jordan
Iran

Jordan and Iran are both very vulnerable.

Iran -- The retirement of their golden generation has weakened them significantly.
Jordan -- Their depth is very narrow and have been reliant on Al-Dwairi, RHJ, and Ibrahim.

Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Guam, Taiwan, and KSA may surprise some teams but I don't see it happening.

---------------

I still say Qatar might get the Indonesia treatment and their automatic qualification gets nullified if they fail to make the second round of the WCQ.

Their current team right now isn't very good and needs to win convincingly over India in the next ACQ window.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

​


Australia and New Zealand are easy to predict. They will always send competitive teams. That's two slots gone.

Which leaves 5 spots to be competed by:

China
Philippines
Japan
Korea
Lebanon
Jordan
Iran

Jordan and Iran are both very vulnerable.

Iran -- The retirement of their golden generation has weakened them significantly.
Jordan -- Their depth is very narrow and have been reliant on Al-Dwairi, RHJ, and Ibrahim.

Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Guam, Taiwan, and KSA may surprise some teams but I don't see it happening.

---------------

I still say Qatar might get the Indonesia treatment and their automatic qualification gets nullified if they fail to make the second round of the WCQ.

Their current team right now isn't very good and needs to win convincingly over India in the next ACQ window.

NZL is vulnerable... They can be beaten.. Australia is only a shoo in for Asian qualifiers... Korea for me is also vulnerable.. they are on rebuilding mode and they don't have naturalized player yet... China is also not sure.. they are not dominant as it used to be, unless they will hire finally a naturalized player to upgrade their line up

 

[sroth38392]

NZL is vulnerable... They can be beaten.. Australia is only a shoo in for Asian qualifiers... Korea for me is also vulnerable.. they are on rebuilding mode and they don't have naturalized player yet... China is also not sure.. they are not dominant as it used to be, unless they will hire finally a naturalized player to upgrade their line up

Korea is Korea. They have never failed to be competitive. Just look at their record against West Asian teams.

They simply got unlucky last time with COVID.

Same with China. They will always have the length and talent to pose problems against other teams.

The only teams that have beaten NZ are Korea, Lebanon, and Jordan. All those wins needed those teams to play perfectly and it was against NZ’s not so best roster.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Korea is Korea. They have never failed to be competitive. Just look at their record against West Asian teams.

They simply got unlucky last time with COVID.

Same with China. They will always have the length and talent to pose problems against other teams.

The only teams that have beaten NZ are Korea, Lebanon, and Jordan. All those wins needed those teams to play perfectly and it was against NZ’s not so best roster.

But they have a losing record vs Iran... In the top 8 ranked teams that Korea is facing, it's Iran that Korea was struggling with.. even last year's Asian games who Iran parade was their young players, but Korea still lose w/ Ratliffe, Iran is 9-1 since 2007 against Korea... How you can explain that? Iran has always Korea's numbers, Korea game is one dimensional, Gilas before Baldwin having hard time vs Koreans because of poor defensive plan against them, but they are the one who is easily to defend, just lock them in their perimeter game and they are done... While Jordan should not underestimate, RHJ led Jordan is a different beast.. no one sees Jordan last Asian games to be in the finals, but they did..

 

[sroth38392]

But they have a losing record vs Iran... In the top 8 ranked teams that Korea is facing, it's Iran that Korea was struggling with.. even last year's Asian games who Iran parade was their young players, but Korea still lose w/ Ratliffe, Iran is 9-1 since 2007 against Korea... How you can explain that? Iran has always Korea's numbers, Korea game is one dimensional, Gilas before Baldwin having hard time vs Koreans because of poor defensive plan against them, but they are the one who is easily to defend, just lock them in their perimeter game and they are done... While Jordan should not underestimate, RHJ led Jordan is a different beast.. no one sees Jordan last Asian games to be in the finals, but they did..

That losing record against Iran was mostly during the latter’s golden generation.

How many times have we beaten Iran during the Haddadi days? Once. Same as Korea.​

That’s one team bro and it’s not even guaranteed they’ll be in the same bracket.

Korea is still good enough to beat five other teams in the 1st and 2nd rounds convincingly if Iran remains their boogeymen

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

That losing record against Iran was mostly during the latter’s golden generation.

How many times have we beaten Iran during the Haddadi days? Once. Same as Korea.​

That’s one team bro and it’s not even guaranteed they’ll be in the same bracket.

Korea is still good enough to beat five other teams in the 1st and 2nd rounds convincingly if Iran remains their boogeymen

Well, Last Asian games, Iran still beat Korea even they don't have Haddadi, they still proved that it is not only Haddadi the reason why they always win vs Korea.. even on the club tournaments, Iranian clubs always have Korea's numbers... They know Korea's weaknesses that other teams not yet materialized how to beat them consistently.. Korea's gameplan is always at perimeter and only way to beat them is to be discipline on defense.. past national teams of Philippines having hard time vs Koreans because we are not discipline on defense, until last 2021 when Tab led Gilas shows us how to beat them, just to be discipline on defense especially on perimeter and they are done already...

 

[sroth38392]

Well, Last Asian games, Iran still beat Korea even they don't have Haddadi, they still proved that it is not only Haddadi the reason why they always win vs Korea.. even on the club tournaments, Iranian clubs always have Korea's numbers... They know Korea's weaknesses that other teams not yet materialized how to beat them consistently.. Korea's gameplan is always at perimeter and only way to beat them is to be discipline on defense.. past national teams of Philippines having hard time vs Koreans because we are not discipline on defense, until last 2021 when Tab led Gilas shows us how to beat them, just to be discipline on defense especially on perimeter and they are done already...

we have yet to see iran’s new gen consistently repeat that over Korea. That’s one win.

Also, you clearly didn’t read my message: iran is one team.

The next West Asian teams do not have a good record.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

Here is my take about post-Haddadi-Bahrami Iran national team, Iran is still a strong team to contend with for the top 7 teams in Asia-Oceania. Iran showed that in last year's Asian Games although they failed to make it to the medal rounds. And it was an Iran team w/o a No. of key players in last year's Asian Games.

But I observed Iran is vulnerable playing in window qualifiers. Iran almost lost to Qatar in the 1st window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup last February. Muntik na talaga silang nadisgrasya versus Qatar, and to think mahina na ang current team ng Qatar. Then some years ago, Iran was upset by teams like Iraq, Syria & Kazakhstan, all in window qualifiers (FIBA World Cup qualifiers ,& FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers). Then there were games by Iran in window qualifiers which muntik muntikan na silang na upset.

I think in a tournament proper like the FIBA Asia Cup or the Asian Games or FIBA World Cup, doon talaga malakas ang Iran because it can really prepare very well (like preparing for 2 solid months or more). But in a window qualifier where it can only prepare for a few days, Iran is fragile.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Here is my take about post-Haddadi-Bahrami Iran national team, Iran is still a strong team to contend with for the top 7 teams in Asia-Oceania. Iran showed that in last year's Asian Games although they failed to make it to the medal rounds. And it was an Iran team w/o a No. of key players in last year's Asian Games.

But I observed Iran is vulnerable playing in window qualifiers. Iran almost lost to Qatar in the 1st window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup last February. Muntik na talaga silang nadisgrasya versus Qatar, and to think mahina na ang current team ng Qatar. Then some years ago, Iran was upset by teams like Iraq, Syria & Kazakhstan, all in window qualifiers (FIBA World Cup qualifiers ,& FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers). Then there were games by Iran in window qualifiers which muntik muntikan na silang na upset.

I think in a tournament proper like the FIBA Asia Cup or the Asian Games or FIBA World Cup, doon talaga malakas ang Iran because it can really prepare very well (like preparing for 2 solid months or more). But in a window qualifier where it can only prepare for a few days, Iran is fragile.

Yeah, they are not too focus on those qualifiers... Actually mas takot parin ako sa Iran compare to Korea, Last Asian games proved na despite we have JB plus Ange, Iran almost pull a victory against us, while I don't feel any curse against Korea anymore.. Korea is not that strong as it compare to 5 - 7 years ago... Korea was changed since then.. Korea have their internal problems too... Our college teams like UP, LaSalle, Ateneo beating professional Korean clubs, It just PBA having problems only against Koreans because of their not so good coaching, although Ginebra beat a Korean team days back.. we learn already how to beat Koreans that we have hard time beating them before... Sa qualifiers kasi, you don't need to win many games.. there is no playoffs there, just to win some games and qualify until the final day and they already achieved their goals already.. parang kalkulado na how many games they (Iran) will win, just like in FIFA qualifiers.. Iran is very familiar with these qualifiers system, even in FIFA, they always lose or draw on some games and it doesn't matter to them as long they still have chance to qualify...

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

I totally agree on all degree that Iran is still a team to reckon with even though Haddadi and Samad already call it quit.

with Yackchali and Jamshidi as the team's older statemen with the additions of some lads from the recent Under teams

worth mentioning those guys who gave our rag tag team a run for their money in the last Asian Games

I think Iran are putting up another foundation for that so-called "2nd wave of that Golden Generation"

in fact someone whisper to me that they will parading a slew of young Persians that they are grooming for future battle

starting from this year's FIBA Asia U18 tourney.

as for our beloved youth program, personally I haven't seen kids that could eventually elevated to the Senior team

Andy Gemao and Kiefer Alas are very promising young lads but the 6'0 to 6'3 level are already saturated

and we badly need warm bodies for the 6-5 and above category

let see what will be the work rate of these edition of our "It It boys with there It It coach" for the coming U18

maybe a slight improve compared to the recently concluded WC U17

"pa konti konti lang ayos na yan" trans. for our youth program mediocrity is the best policy for now.

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

I totally agree on all degree that Iran is still a team to reckon with even though Haddadi and Samad already call it quit.

with Yackchali and Jamshidi as the team's older statemen with the additions of some lads from the recent Under teams

worth mentioning those guys who gave our rag tag team a run for their money in the last Asian Games

I think Iran are putting up another foundation for that so-called "2nd wave of that Golden Generation"

in fact someone whisper to me that they will parading a slew of young Persians that they are grooming for future battle

starting from this year's FIBA Asia U18 tourney.

as for our beloved youth program, personally I haven't seen kids that could eventually elevated to the Senior team

Andy Gemao and Kiefer Alas are very promising young lads but the 6'0 to 6'3 level are already saturated

and we badly need warm bodies for the 6-5 and above category

let see what will be the work rate of these edition of our "It It boys with there It It coach" for the coming U18

maybe a slight improvement compared to the recently concluded WC U17

"pa konti konti lang ayos na yan" trans. for our youth program mediocrity is the best policy for now.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

I totally agree on all degree that Iran is still a team to reckon with even though Haddadi and Samad already call it quit.

with Yackchali and Jamshidi as the team's older statemen with the additions of some lads from the recent Under teams

worth mentioning those guys who gave our rag tag team a run for their money in the last Asian Games

I think Iran are putting up another foundation for that so-called "2nd wave of that Golden Generation"

in fact someone whisper to me that they will parading a slew of young Persians that they are grooming for future battle

starting from this year's FIBA Asia U18 tourney.

as for our beloved youth program, personally I haven't seen kids that could eventually elevated to the Senior team

Andy Gemao and Kiefer Alas are very promising young lads but the 6'0 to 6'3 level are already saturated

and we badly need warm bodies for the 6-5 and above category

let see what will be the work rate of these edition of our "It It boys with there It It coach" for the coming U18

maybe a slight improve compared to the recently concluded WC U17

"pa konti konti lang ayos na yan" trans. for our youth program mediocrity is the best policy for now.

Here, it doesn't matter who will be elevated to the seniors level.. some of current players of Gilas didn't played any single youth teams in the past... Because we are basketball country, we have so many players that we can choose even outside of those players who played in youth program... Don't be surprise if those who didn't played in Gilas youth program will be the ones who will be Gilas mainstay in the future...

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

Here, it doesn't matter who will be elevated to the seniors level.. some of current players of Gilas didn't played any single youth teams in the past... Because we are basketball country, we have so many players that we can choose even outside of those players who played in youth program... Don't be surprise if those who didn't played in Gilas youth program will be the ones who will be Gilas mainstay in the future...

except for Kai, AJ, Carl, Mason no other names was elevated from youth going to Seniors from that time until now

I don't think KQ was a product of our youth team( I stand to be corrected on this)

for 2027 and beyond I think as per my personal observation( I do hope I'm wrong) we were mostly relying to get an exemption for QMB, Lucero, Mike Philips, BGR, Terrence Hill, Remy Martin, JJ Mandaquit, Kamaka Hepa or even Dylan Harper as an added warm bodies for the next cycles to replace the elder ones.

for me on some degree I ain't sold on that

I rather traverse the path of starting from the Youth team going to the Senior level, that's the ideal process for me.

yup lads like Caellum, Zaid, Konov, Bayla, Pachuki, Jayden Harper, James Sanderson, Tyler Bailey who already acquired their respective PH pass and few of them already played for a sanctioned tournaments but haven't tested yet on the Senior level.

we still need more especially in the 6'5 and above category as part of the long term program

I've already seen some of our Philippine born kids like Prince Carino, Daep, Ples among others and that's a good sign moving forward

the recent Las Vegas Training Camp conducted by coach Norman, the new ED in collaboration with Filam Nation is a good sign

and I think majority of those kids and their parents will come over and play for next year's edition of NBTC Manila Live games

just like Japan Basketball we really need to step up and compete toe to toe with Australia on the coming years

as yesterday's PSA forum with CYG as the main guest, even though I haven't watch the FB live of that forum

but as per articles released today he mentioned that it doesn't end as a mere paper judgement but rather he wanna make sure

the remittances will take effect immediately.

from now on I will never stop using this "Philippine Sports landscape already had money for our Grassroot Development moving forward".

 

[JAMSKIE2]

Japan would be a tough nut to crack even in the window qualifiers of World Cup & Asia Cup since Yuta Watanabe would be playing in the B-league instead of playing in the NBA. Playing in the B-league would allow Watanabe to play for Japan even in the qualifiers - something he can't do if he's playing in the NBA. Japan is a different team with either Watanabe or another NBA player Rui Hachimura, More so if they both play together for Japan.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Japan would be a tough nut to crack even in the window qualifiers of World Cup & Asia Cup since Yuta Watanabe would be playing in the B-league instead of playing in the NBA. Playing in the B-league would allow Watanabe to play for Japan even in the qualifiers - something he can't do if he's playing in the NBA. Japan is a different team with either Watanabe or another NBA player Rui Hachimura, More so if they both play together for Japan.

Yeah, with this development, Japan is also favorite to crack in the 2027 World cup... Teams who will have a disadvantage in these current set up is Bahamas (their best players are NBAers), Cameroon (Embiid wants to play for Cameroon but he has to be committed in some qualifiers that NBA players is in off season) ...

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

Do you think George King is a worthy another naturalized player candidate? He is also same height as Brownlee... Can shoot, can defend, can rebound, can do everything.. Boatwright is good but if he's prone to any injuries then they should look for another prospect.. George King is the answer...​

 

[thatweirdguy2]

Do you think George King is a worthy another naturalized player candidate? He is also same height as Brownlee... Can shoot, can defend, can rebound, can do everything.. Boatwright is good but if he's prone to any injuries then they should look for another prospect.. George King is the answer...​

I remember him playing for the Suns SL team 6 years ago. He was an older 3 and D prospect hence why he was undrafted. And he's just 6'5 and not that athletic but he was already a polished prospect with low ceiling. He didn't stood out.

RHJ is a way better candidate and we just let him slipped by.

 

[JAMSKIE2]

I remember him playing for the Suns SL team 6 years ago. He was an older 3 and D prospect hence why he was undrafted. And he's just 6'5 and not that athletic but he was already a polished prospect with low ceiling. He didn't stood out.

RHJ is a way better candidate and we just let him slipped by.

As good an import RHJ is, he has 1 glaring weakness - 3 pt shooting. If you're playing the FIBA game & you're a natural wing (playing the 2 & 3 positions) 3-pt shooting is a must. RSJ is the type of a naturalized player in which a defender can afford to sag & would rather let him take an open 3-pointer rather than stick close to him & risk of getting blown by. We've seen that when Gilas beat Jordan in the finals of last year's Asian Games. Gilas players just left RHJ open from the 3-pt distance. They would rather leave him open from 3 rather than let him attack Gilas' defense on drives or pull up jumpers from mid-range. That is why between Justin Brownlee & RHJ, I will always choose the former even with his advanced age. Mas kumpleto ang laro ni Brownlee & for me he is the better team player than RHJ..

 

[thatweirdguy2]

As good an import RHJ is, he has 1 glaring weakness - 3 pt shooting. If you're playing the FIBA game & you're a natural wing (playing the 2 & 3 positions) 3-pt shooting is a must. RSJ is the type of a naturalized player in which a defender can afford to sag & would rather let him take an open 3-pointer rather than stick close to him & risk of getting blown by. We've seen that when Gilas beat Jordan in the finals of last year's Asian Games. Gilas players just left RHJ open from the 3-pt distance. They would rather leave him open from 3 rather than let him attack Gilas' defense on drives or pull up jumpers from mid-range. That is why between Justin Brownlee & RHJ, I will always choose the former even with his advanced age. Mas kumpleto ang laro ni Brownlee & for me he is the better team player than RHJ..

Sorry I was just comparing King to RHJ because I'd rather pass on both. RHJ is way better on defense, better on everything except shooting. King can't shoot at a high level though and cannot create for himself or others and isn't that good on D despite being labeled being projected as one. King might be a better fit in FIBA but I'd rather use our NP slot for a versatile big. Brownlee is an exception as he's TC's boy and it easy to naturalize hin. Besides we still have JC who is probably the best wing in Asia

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

As good an import RHJ is, he has 1 glaring weakness - 3 pt shooting. If you're playing the FIBA game & you're a natural wing (playing the 2 & 3 positions) 3-pt shooting is a must. RSJ is the type of a naturalized player in which a defender can afford to sag & would rather let him take an open 3-pointer rather than stick close to him & risk of getting blown by. We've seen that when Gilas beat Jordan in the finals of last year's Asian Games. Gilas players just left RHJ open from the 3-pt distance. They would rather leave him open from 3 rather than let him attack Gilas' defense on drives or pull up jumpers from mid-range. That is why between Justin Brownlee & RHJ, I will always choose the former even with his advanced age. Mas kumpleto ang laro ni Brownlee & for me he is the better team player than RHJ..

RHJ is an exemption by the way.. yes, his shooting is always a suspect, he can do other things.. Brownlee is better but RHJ is not far behind.. w/ RHJ, Jordan is a contender in Asian basketball.. he has decent mid range shooting and one that I like his game is he's a workhorse and can do everything on the court.. if Brownlee is not exist then RHJ might be our naturalized player already... As far goes to George King, yes he is only 6'5 but he has 6'11 wingspan.. very good rebounder, excellent shooter, can play defense and playmaker... I will not surprise if he will get invite by SBP to naturalized him or he will have multiple stints in the PBA as import....