Chooks To Go faces acid test vs Iran 5

MANILA, Philippines — Isaiah Austin gets the chance to prove his worth against the region’s best as Chooks To Go-Pilipinas faces PetroChimi of Iran tonight in a fight for top placing in group play in the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup at the Chenzhou Sports Center in Chenzhou, China.

Team Phl, coming off a break, and Iran face off at 9:45 p.m. in the final game of the eliminations, disputing top spot in Group A.

But Austin and his teammates must dish out their best form to keep up with the tough PetroChimi squad that routed Sarreyyet Ramallah of Palestine, 108-45, Sunday.

At least five Iran national team core players banner the PetroChimi roster with former Los Angeles Clipper Willie Warren. The Iranian national players include former FIBA Asia Mythical Five awardee Oshin Sahakian, Sajjad Mashayekhi, Saeid Davarpanah, Behnam Yachchali and Arsalan Kazemi.

Austin is to go up against  7-1 Mirza Begic and 6-11 Meisam Mirzaeeitalarposhti.

But for sure, PetroChimi is beatable as proven by BC Astana in its 66-65 upset of the Iranian squad, the day after the Kazakhs’ 65-73 loss to the Filipinos.

Iran, however, can be intimidating after its 63-point demolition of the Palestinians.

Warren, a teammate of NBA star Blake Griffin at Oklahoma U and at the LA Clippers, sizzled with 3-of-5 treys and a total of 25 points while Mirzaeeitalarposhti powered his way to 16 points and nine rebounds versus Team Palestine.

The Filipinos and the Iranians fight for group top placing to get a light assignment in the crossover quarterfinals.

It’s Group A No. 1 versus Group B No. 4, A2 against B3, A3 opposite B2 and A4 versus B1.

With little expectation because of short preparation and a crippled lineup, Chooks To Go has surprised a lot in this Asian inter-club tourney with its stirring victories over Kazakhstan and Thailand.