Recalling Iran in 2013

It was a game to remember at the MOA Arena in 2013. Host Philippines battled Iran in the FIBA Asia Cup final and with naturalized import Marcus Douthit sidelined, coach Chot Reyes went All-Filipino in losing an 85-71 decision. Still, the silver finish was good for a ticket to the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the Philippines’ first appearance in the conclave since hosting the 1978 edition. JuneMar Fajardo was on the Philippine roster with Jimmy Alapag, Marc Pingris, Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, LA Tenorio, Jeff Chan, Gary David, Gabe Norwood, Larry Fonacier and Japeth Aguilar. Iran was led by NBA veteran Hamed Haddadi, Nikkhah Bahrami and Mahdi Kamrani.

Tonight, the Philippines and Iran meet again at the MOA Arena 13 years after that FIBA Asia Cup final. Gilas will take to the court without a naturalized import like in 2013 and with Fajardo, 36, the only holdover. Tenorio is now a Gilas assistant coach. In FIBA history dating back to 2007, Iran has defeated the Philippines in six of seven meetings with Gilas’ only victory coming in the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup in Changsha, 87-73. Iran has swept the last three encounters, capped by a 95-75 romp at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

But in their last meeting, Gilas prevailed, 84-83 in the Asian Games quarterfinals in 2023. However, it wasn’t a FIBA event. Back from that Hangzhou clash are Chris Newsome, Scottie Thompson, Fajardo and CJ Perez. For Iran, the remnants are Washington Wizards 2013 second round pick 6-7 Arsalan Kazemi, 36, 7-1 Hasan Aliakbari, 30, 6-5 Matin Aghajanpour, 25 and 6-7 Piter Girgoorian, 24.

Cone will match wits with Iran mentor Sotirios Manalopoulos, an assistant on the Greece coaching staff at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Manalopoulos, 56, piloted Iran to a bronze at the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah last year. Aside from the four Asian Games holdovers, the other Iranians to watch are 6-7 Mohammad Amini, 21, 6-0 Mohammad Jamshidi, 35, 6-1 Seyed Mahdi Jafari, 22, 6-8 Arman Zangeneh, 33, 6-9 Salar Monji, 29 and 6-5 Mohammad Mahdi Heydari, 20. Iran’s average age is 26.3 compared to Gilas’ 28.8.

French league import Amini and Jamshidi played in their first World Cup Asia qualifying game against New Zealand last Friday. Amini scored 16 points and Jamshidi, 12. PBA fans remember Jamishi playing as an Asian heritage import for Meralco in the 2016 Governors’ Cup. He has suited up for Iran in four FIBA Asia Cups, two World Cups, two Asian Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Kazemi is averaging 5.9 points and 10.4 rebounds in the qualifiers as Iran’s terror in the interior.

In Iran’s loss to New Zealand, 93-91 in OT, the Tall Blacks had more rebounds, 52-39, offensive boards, 16-9 and paint points, 48-26 but less bench points, 29-46. Against Iran, Gilas’ frontliners Kai Sotto and AJ Edu must assert their presence like they did against Jordan. Iran is 5-2 and Gilas, 3-4 in the qualifiers so the pressure is on the home team to pick up another win and stay in contention for a ticket to the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha.