THE cast for Group E of the second round of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers is complete as the Philippines joins powerhouse squad Australia and New Zealand, along with West Asian teams led by many-time Asian champion Iran, Jordan and Syria.
Iran and Jordan finish tied at Group C with similar 5-1 records.But the Iranians secured the top spot by virtue of their 67-49 rout of the Jordanians in Amman last July 2 during their Window 3 collision in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.Gunner Mohammad Mahdi Heydari scattered 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting while veteran forward Arsalan Kazemi delivered an all-around effort for Iran, scoring seven points, but had 11 rebounds, and seven assists in 32 minutes of play.The Boomers topped Group A with New Zealand (4-2) at second spot, followed by Gilas (2-4).Manila is expected to host the fourth qualifying window with the SM Mall of Asia Arena, potentially serving as the playing venue scheduled on Aug. 27 and 31.Even if Justin Brownlee showed up and played, Gilas coach Tim Cone knew the team’s naturalized player “won’t be much a help” as well given the multiple injuries he’s nursing.The 38-year-old Brownlee failed to play in Gilas’ 92-49 humiliation at the hands of Australia at the close of Window 3 of their FIBA Worlds Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers in Perth.The four-time PBA Best Import had multiple injuries, which include, among others, hamstring strain and peroneal tendinopathy on his right leg and left knee swelling, and cartilage defects, which the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced Sunday night on its Facebook page.“He wasn’t worth 40 points, that’s for sure,” Cone said after the game. “He’s the guy we can go to in tough moments, but he just wasn’t ready to play tonight, he wouldn’t have been much of a help the way he was feeling.”Brownlee played last Friday against New Zealand, with Gilas managing to stand toe to toe with the longtime Oceania squad, before dropping a close 106-102 double overtime defeat.
