it's flawed logic to be wishing for a combination of teams to join your group ( e.g. Philippines and NZ) , the reason why is even if 1 team per pot 3 and 7 is drawn grouped with Philippines , that means there are still 3 other (non Asian) teams each for Pot 1, 3 and 7 , that can be grouped with Iran in pot 5. So obviously the preference is Iran.
Your scenario is in on the condition that one of the 4 teams in pot 3, 5, and 7 is already grouped with Philippines ( that's just 25 % of the teams, the remaining 75 % can join Iran) . this is flawed thinking as 75 % of the remaining teams still can be grouped and prefer Iran
The simple assessment is the preference is to be with a group with a low performing world cup team ( normally Asian or African) that is seeded in the top pots ( 1 to 5) . Cause it essentially means that one of the top 2 supposedly ranked teams is actually weak. ( host , or like Iran that is ranked high cause it's in Asia)
There is a reason why the bottom 2 pots of 8 teams are all Asian and African teams. for any of the Asian teams to be in top seed pots 1 to 5 obviously is the winning lottery preferred draw by any team . No need to over complicate things, ... simply have as many Asian and African teams in your group the better. (at least 2 is ideal, which essentially means 2 beatable teams to advance to 2nd round)
They not thinking only one possible match... They are thinking the whole tournament progress... Did you watch the procedures how it works? Sure, they want Iran... But other than that, It means they will also face either USA, Australia and Spain... Those 3 are favorites to win the title... I will give you a most logical explanation (Maybe you didn't watch the Draw procedures posted it already by FIBA).... Only for POTS 1,3,5,7:
POT 1 : PHL, USA, ESP, AUS
POT 3: GRE, ITA, GER, BRA
POT 5: IRI, FIN, DR, NZL
POT 7: JPN, JOR, ANG, CIV
FIBA stated that Spain will not be group in other 3 European teams in POT 3, It means guaranteed Spain and Brazil will be groupmates automatically, w/c also means DR can't be grouped with Spain because it has already Brazil as their Americas groupmates (Note: other continental zones teams can't be grouped except Europeans).. Spain only options in POT 5 are IRI, NZL and FIN (Some Groups will have 2 Europeans), Another thing is, If Spain were placed in Okinawa, that means they will also automatically group with Japan too in Group E... That means no Iran on Spain Group....
On USA side, they can't be grouped with Brazil and DR automatically because they are both in Americas zone, USA will have a possible brutal match against one of 3 teams in POT 3 and also a possibility have either NZL (For sure bro, your team doesn't want to be w/ USA), IRI and Finland, while because USA is already allocated in Manila, they will not face Japan in POT 7, If USA was placed with Iran, USA can't be grouped with Jordan (Jordan and Iran are both Asians) and only be grouped among Angola or CIV....
On Australia side, they have also same path as USA, Since Brazil already grouped with Spain, their POT 3 opponents also either 1 of 3 Euro POT 3 teams too, while Australia and NZL can't be grouped each other because both are Oceania teams... Their only opponents in POT 5 are IRI, FIN and DR... They have also similarities with Spain too, because both Spain and Australia can't be grouped in Manila, If Australia was the one will be draw in Okinawa, That means they will be automatically grouped with Japan, Also no chance to grouped with Iran too....
3 European POT 3 teams are in same path, Those 3 teams are wishing not be group with USA while they are OK with Australia (although very tough too) and especially Philippines (the worst POT 1 maybe in FIBA history books).. While all 3 European POT 3 teams can't be grouped with Spain... If one of those 3 Euro squads will be group in Group A (PHL), That means, they will have no chance to be grouped with Iran, Jordan and Japan... If one of Euro squads grouped with USA, They can't be grouped with DR in POT 5...
PHL meanwhile, their only possible opponents are one of 3 teams in Europe in POT 3, FIN, DR and NZL in POT 5 and Angola and CIV in POT 7... PHL might have some little advantage over Angola or CIV, But heavy underdogs vs POT 3 teams, and they also have a big disadvantage against POT 5 teams, But i'm sure, coach Chot praying that they want NZL as their POT 5 opponent than DR and Finland for obvious reasons
JPN is in danger scenario too, because they have no benefit like PHL even they are also co-hosting... JPN's possible POT 1 opponent are only Australia and Spain.. If they were drawn with Spain, it means they are also grouped with Brazil (see the reason above), It also means they have no chance to be grouped with IRI and DR.. Then only options are FIN and NZL.. While if they drawn with Australia, It means their POT 3 opponents are 1 of 3 Euro teams too and it also means they have no shot to be grouped w/ NZL in POT 5.... I think the only best scenario for Japan if they have atleast a shot to the 2nd round is with Spain, then Brazil and possibly NZL.... others are too tough for Japan....
IRI might have shot a win in group stages, As only PHI and IRI have only chance to have grouped with African teams (Also China too)... Because they don't be grouped with JOR and JPN.... It will be crucial when all Asian teams booted out early in 1st round, as they will haunt for Olympic qualification in Asia zone...