Gilas, China duel in Asia Cup opener

MANILA, Philippines -  Gilas Pilipinas and China clash in an early rematch of their titular battle in Changsha two years ago as they open their campaigns in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup on Aug. 9 in Beirut, Lebanon.

Team Phl will be next up against Iraq on Aug. 11 then versus Qatar on Aug. 13, with the Filipinos needing to be in the Top Three in their group to advance to the next round.

The tourney, now a tougher competition with the merger of Australia and New Zealand with the old Asian powers, features a new exciting format where the top notchers in group play gain automatic entry in the quarterfinals.

The second placers and third placers in the prelims go through a qualification to quarterfinals. It’s A2 versus B3, B2 opposite A3, C2 against D3 and D2 versus C3.

Gilas is expected to progress to the knockout round from Group B with the Chinese, the Iraqis and the Qataris.

But in the new format, it’s harder to guess who will be the Filipinos’ assignment after the prelims.

Iran topbills Group A with Jordan, Syria and India; New Zealand leads Group C with Kazakhstan, Lebanon and Korea, while Australia banners Group D with Japan, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.

FIBA Asia finalized the competition schedule Sunday, affirming the Lebanon event is a go.

In 2013, the FIBA Asia Championship was originally set in Lebanon but was later moved to Manila due to the prevailing situation in Beirut.

The 2017 FIBA Asia Cup is slated Aug. 8-20 at the Nouhad Nawfal Arena, running in conflict with the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur set Aug. 19-30.

Troy Rosario, Baser Amer, Almond Vosotros, Kevin Ferrer, Kiefer Ravena, Ray Ray Parks, Mike Tolomia, Von Pessumal, Carl Bryan Cruz, Raymar Jose, Kobe Paras and Fil German Christian Standhardinger are named to the Gilas SEAG team.

Still up in the air is the Gilas lineup for the Beirut conclave.

The Philippines was silver medalist in the last two editions of this Asian joust, placing second to Iran in 2013 and to the Chinese in 2015.