Courtesy: FIBA
As crucial as it gets, Gilas Pilipinas is pulling out all the stops against perennial rival Iran as it strives to secure a fourth straight World Cup appearance.
After raising its record to 3-4 in Pool E behind a dramatic 82-81 escape over Jordan last Friday, the Philippines will try to end the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers triumphant and get nearer to its ultimate goal.
The Filipinos will battle the Iranians on Sunday at 8 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with the nationals bucking the absence of Carl Tamayo, who, after sparking Gilas’ offense with eight points, exited the game in the third quarter because of an ankle injury.
Justine Arana took the place of Tamayo as the Converge big man is set for his national team debut.
Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao, and CJ Perez are sure to be the focal point of the offense once more, having fueled Gilas’ resurgence in the second half after erasing an 18-point deficit against Jordan.
Beating Iran, though, is easier said than done as Team Melli has been a persistent headache.
Adding woes to Gilas is the return of 21-year-old explosive guard Mohammad Amini, who helped Iran cop the bronze medal in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.
Amini, Matin Aghajanpour, Mohammad Jamshidi, and Mahdi Jafari Seyed will look to vent their ire to the Philippines after surrendering a 93-91 loss to New Zealand.
In their last seven FIBA meetings, the Middle Eastern nation had prevailed six times over the Southeast Asian basketball kings, including its title-clinching 85-71 victory in the then FIBA Asia Championship in 2013.
The only time Gilas defeated Iran was in the second round of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, 87-73.
Outside FIBA, the Philippines and Iran last battled in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where the Justin Brownlee-led nationals dispatched their continental nemesis in the quarterfinals, 84-83.
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