GILAS Pilipinas is in a must-win game against Kazakhstan if it wants to earn a slot in the Fiba World Cup China.
The Philippines is currently ranked fourth in the Group F of the Fiba Asian Qualifiers behind Australia, Japan and Iran.
Australia already clinched a spot in the world meet with a 10-1 record. Japan and Iran both have identical 7-4 slates with the former having the edge because of a better quotient. The Philippines is at 6-5 after a dominant 84-46 win over Qatar.
The top three finishers of both Group E and Group F, the best fourth place and World Cup host China advance to the World Cup.
The Philippines has a chance to advance but it depends on the other Group F and Group E games.
If the Philippines wins against Kazakhstan and Japan loses to Qatar then the Philippines will finish with a tie with Japan but will take the third spot because Gilas beat them in their two meetings. However, if both Japan and Iran lose their last games and the Philippines wins over Kazakhstan then there will be a three-way tie, and Japan and the Philippines will advance. EKA