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FIBA Asia Cup host Saudi Arabia arranges a date with Gilas Pilipinas in the qualification to the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group C
MANILA, Philippines – Host Saudi Arabia stands in Gilas Pilipinas’ way for a last-eight berth in the FIBA Asia Cup.
Saudi Arabia arranged a date with the Philippines in the qualification to the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group C following an 84-59 thrashing of India on Saturday, August 9 (Sunday, August 10, Manila time).
The game is scheduled on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12, at 12 am, Manila time), as the Saudis and the Filipinos vie for the right to challenge two-time defending champion Australia, which is a cinch to advance directly to the quarterfinals as the Group A top seed.
Mohammed Alsuwailem led five Saudi Arabia players in double-figure scoring with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds as the hosts coasted to the dominant win after a nip-and-tuck opening quarter.
India held a 25-24 edge at the end of the first period but scored just 6 points in the second salvo, allowing Saudi Arabia to erect a 45-31 halftime lead and pull away for good.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman put up 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Marzouq Al-Muwallad added 12 points as Saudi Arabia ended the group stage with a 2-1 record.
Saudi Arabia has been a revelation after giving Group C leader China a run for its money in a narrow 93-88 loss and stunning Jordan in a 77-73 win.
While Saudi Arabia has enjoyed a promising Asia Cup run, Gilas Pilipinas has primarily struggled, losing to Chinese Taipei and New Zealand in back-to-back games that saw it fall behind early and fall short of its comeback.
But the Philippines still advanced to the knockout rounds behind a morale-boosting 66-57 win over Iraq to finish third in Group D.
Only the No. 1 teams in each of the four groups will earn direct entry to the quarterfinals, while the No. 2 and 3 squads duke it out in the crossover playoffs to complete the top-eight cast. – Rappler.com
