China and Iran favorites to win FIBA Asia

FIBA Asia

The Men’s FIBA Asia Championships are set to kick off tomorrow. The tournament will be held in Manila, Philippines from August 1-11.

China and Iran have won the last seven FIBA Asia Championships, with Iran taking back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2007. China has dominated the tournament since the mid-70s, with only South Korea (1997) and host nation Philippines (1985) stealing a few moments atop of the podium aside from Iran’s aforementioned success.

Even though the Chinese team is expected to make it’s presence felt in a dominant fashion, the Iranian team will be hot on their heels as they are carrying with some momentum after a clean sweep of the recently concluded of the William Jones Cup, held in Chinese Taipei.

FIBA Asia

China will be tested early as they face Korea on the first day in the heavily stacked Group C of the tournament.

Games will be played in two venues, the Mall of Asia Arena and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Here is the schedule of the preliminary round of the tournament, which will be played over three days.

Round One

Thursday, August 1

Mall of Asia Arena

11:00am – Iran vs Malaysia

1:15pm – Jordan vs Chinese Taipei

3:30pm – Japan vs Qatar

5:45pm – China vs Korea

8:30pm – Saudi Arabia vs Philippines

10:30pm – Kazakhstan vs Thailand

Ninoy Aquino Stadium

6:00pm – India vs Bahrain

 

Friday, August 2

Mall of Asia Arena

11:00am – China vs Malaysia

1:15pm – Chinese Taipei vs Saudi Arabia

3:30pm – Japan vs Hong Kong

5:45pm – Korea vs Iran

8:30pm – Jordan vs Philippines

10:30pm – Thailand vs India

Ninoy Aquino Stadium

6:00pm – Kazakhstan vs Bahrain

 

Saturday, August 3

Mall of Asia Arena

11:00am – Malaysia vs Korea

1:15pm – India vs Kazakhstan

3:30pm – Hong Kong vs Qatar

5:45pm – Iran vs China

8:30pm – Philippines vs Chinese Taipei

10:30pm – Saudi Arabia vs Jordan

Ninoy Aquino Stadium

6:00pm – Bahrain vs Thailand

 

The second round groupings will be as follows:

Second Round Groupings

Group E: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3

Group F: C1, C2, C3, D1, D2, D3

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