Gilas Pilipinas, China meet again in 2026 Asian Games group stage

FILE– Gilas Pilipinas during a match in the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— Gilas Pilipinas will cross paths with China anew in the 2026 Asian Games after being drawn into the same group for the 5×5 men’s basketball event.

The Philippines will also face Bahrain and Kazakhstan in Group C, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

The Gilas-China matchup revives a rivalry that gave way to Justin Brownlee’s legend three years ago.

In the semifinals of the 2023 Asian Games, the Philippines toppled China behind Brownlee’s 33 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Gilas eventually won the gold medal that year after defeating the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-backed Jordan squad.

Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas Women were grouped with Japan, Thailand and Mongolia in Group B of the women’s 5×5 basketball event.

Gilas Pilipinas women celebrate after winning over Colombia in the Fiba Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO

The Gilas Women will have their work cut out for them against Japan, which took the silver medal in the category in 2023.

The Philippines finished with a 2-2 record in the last women’s basketball tournament, notching wins over Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.

Gilas bowed out in the quarterfinals at the hands of eventual bronze medalist South Korea.

This year’s Asian Games run from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan.