There were 14 entries in the tournament. Group A consisted of China, Iran, and Hong Kong. Group B was made up of South Korea, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia. The Philippines, Japan, Pakistan and Syria comprised Group C. Chinese-Taipei, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, and Jordan were in Group D.
After the first round of eliminations, the top two teams in each group advanced to the quarters. China, the Philippines, North Korea, and the Emirates were classified in one quarterfinals bracket. Japan, South Korea Chinese-Taipei, and Iran were in the other.
Japan shocked South Korea, 94-91, at the start of the quarters – two days before the Philippines bowed to China in a monumental blowout. When the Filipinos played China, it was clear that Japan would end up No. 1 and South Korea No. 2 in their bracket.
In the knockout crossover semis, the No. 1 teams of both groups faced the No. 2 squads of the other groups. So that meant if the Philippines beat China in the quarters, it would play South Korea in the semis.
Losing to China in the quarters installed the Philippines No. 2 in its bracket and set up a semifinal showdown against Japan, No. 1 in the other group. No. 1 China and No. 2 South Korea played off in the other semis pairing.
As it turned out, the Philippines beat Japan, 94-90, and China defeated South Korea, 92-88. In the finals, China trounced the Philippines, 90-76, for the gold. Coach Robert Jaworski’s squad brought back the silver – the country’s loftiest finish in the Asiad since capturing its fourth straight gold in 1962.
Ramon Fernandez, who played on the 1990 squad, said it was the luck of the draw that enabled the Philippines to reach the finals. He noted that the Philippines salvaged a silver without playing South Korea the entire tournament.
Apparently, the 65-point loss to China was a strategic ploy of taking a step back for two steps forward. The reward for beating China in the quarters would’ve been a semifinal game against South Korea – something Jaworski obviously didn’t relish. Japan, of course, was an easier semis opponent since in the eliminations, the Philippines had already beaten the Japanese, 86-78.
Fernandez said in the coming Asian Games in Busan, it’s not impossible for the Philippines to capture the gold. "Of course, there’s a chance," he added. "But it won’t be easy. If the luck of the draw is on our side, it will help."
Fernandez echoed national coach Ron Jacobs’ thinking that in eight out of 10 games, China will beat the Philippines because of superior height, a deeper bench, and a grassroots development program that ferrets out potentials at a young age. But who knows? If the Philippines plays China for the gold, it could be one of the two out of the 10 games where the tables are reversed. It could be the game where the Philippines will beat China.
Fernandez said he hopes Jacobs will recover from a stroke to call the shots in Busan. Joseph Uichico, Allan Caidic, and Eric Altamirano – all Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) head coaches – are competent assistants who could fill in for Jacobs, he pointed out, if necessary.
Fernandez said shoo-ins for the national team include Danny Ildefonso, Asi Taulava, and Eric Menk. A role player whom he said could contribute in Busan is Rudy Hatfield.
In 1990, Fernandez’ teammates were Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Alvin Patrimonio, Hector Calma, Benjie Paras, Zaldy Realubit, Ronnie Magsanoc, Chito Loyzaga, Rey Cuenco, Dante Gonzalgo, and Yves Dignadice. Jaworski’s assistant coach was Norman Black. Team manager was Go Teng Kok.
Strategy played a vital role in the Philippines’ silver medal finish in Beijing. It will also play a vital role in Busan this year.