Jordan's basketball team is poised for success as they approach the conclusion of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. After defeating Saudi Arabia 78-68, Jordan secured their spot for the Asia Cup set to take place from August 5-17 this year. They will face Iraq on Monday, February 26, to conclude their performance in Window 3 of Group D qualifiers.
Freddy Ibrahim and Ahmad Duwairi delivered outstanding performances with double doubles, complementing Amin Abu Hawas, who scored 22 points against Saudi Arabia. This victory maintained Jordan's unbeaten streak during home games, earlier marked by wins over Palestine and Saudi Arabia.
Jordan's record showcases their strength, having previously beaten Iraq 73-64 and Palestine 87-81 during Window 2 qualifiers. Meanwhile, Iraq managed to keep their qualification hopes alive by defeating Palestine 79-59, following several earlier victories.
The qualifiers feature matches involving 24 teams vying for limited spots within the tournament, where the top two teams from each qualifying group will advance directly to the main event. A competitive mix is at play, as teams like Australia, Philippines, China, Japan, and Lebanon are already climbing the ranks, diversifying the competition around the region.
Across the competition, Gilas Pilipinas faced considerable challenges, concluding their qualifications with losses against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei. Their final rematch with New Zealand ended 87-70, marking another blow for the Philippines, who had swept the first two windows of the qualifiers.
Coach Tim Cone acknowledged the difficulty of their recent performances, attributing it to fatigue from earlier games, including their participation at the Doha International Cup, where they finished with one win and two losses. Cone emphasized the importance of using these qualifiers as learning experiences to iron out weaknesses before the Asia Cup.
Despite struggles, Gilas ended the qualifiers with a respectable 4-2 record, securing second place in Group B behind New Zealand, who topped the group with strong performances from key players like Tohi Smith-Milner, who contributed 25 points against the Filipinos. The loss sets the stage for more trials as they prepare for the challenges at the Asia Cup.
Jordan's basketball accolades are noteworthy; the team has previously earned silver at the 2023 Asian Games and historically qualified for the FIBA World Cup three times. Their performance helps to set high expectations as they face the challenges of the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian basketball team faced South Korea and suffered a heavy loss with a score of 63-90, highlighting the fierce competitiveness within the qualifiers. Other teams, like China and Japan, are also vying for their chance to showcase their talents on the regional stage.
With the excitement building around the approaching FIBA Asia Cup, fans and teams are gearing up for what promises to be thrilling matches as Asia’s basketball powerhouses collide.