MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas is set to face Lebanon in the knockout quarterfinals of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship when the games resume Thursday, October 1, following a one-day break.
(IN PHOTOS: Romeo pours 20, Pingris comes alive as Gilas pounds India)
The match-up was set after Lebanon defeated Jordan, 80-76, on Tuesday afternoon, September 29 in Group F action.
Lebanon is ranked 34th in the world by FIBA, just 3 places below the 31st Philippines, which secured the top seed in Group E after sweeping the second round with wins over Japan, Iran and India.
(WATCH: Gilas sweeps FIBA Asia 2nd round with rout of India)
Lebanon finished the second round with a 2-3 record and will claim fourth place due to inferior quotient even if South Korea loses to Kazakhstan on the day's final game.
(READ: FIBA Asia 101: A guide to the Olympic qualifier in China)
Defending champion Iran, whom Gilas upset on Monday, September 28, is on a collision course with bronze medalists South Korea, who will not finish higher than third place as they lost to China and Qatar. (WATCH: Romeo to Rosser for the alley-oop slam vs India)
Jordan bowed out of the tournament with the loss. They are coached by former Philippine national men's basketball team coach Rajko Toroman. (READ: The secret to Hontiveros and Taulava's playing longevity)
The Philippines is eyeing nothing less than the gold and the automatic 2016 Summer Olympics berth. – Rappler.com