Australia will attempt to become the second nation to complete a rare three-peat in the FIBA Asia Cup, which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17 next month. The Boomers will face stiff competition, as the other 15 teams plan to dethrone them.
They are placed in Group A alongside Qatar, South Korea, and Lebanon. Group B comprises Guam, Japan, Syria, and Iran. China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia are in Group C, while Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Iraq, and the Philippines comprise Group D.
There’s no doubt that the Boomers have a huge target on their backs in the continental tournament. But the early FIBA Asia Cup 2025 odds predict them making another deep run and maybe winning it all again.
The excitement builds up as basketball fans are in for a huge treat. And today, SBOTOP has you covered with the latest FIBA Asia Cup 2025 updates.
Australia’s B team cruised past the qualifiers
Australia are back to defend their crown after going undefeated during the qualifiers last year. The Boomers blew out South Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia in Group A to join Jordan and Lebanon as the only unbeaten countries during the group stage. South Korea joined them by finishing second in Group A with a 4-2 record, while Thailand went to the final qualifying tournament, and Indonesia were eliminated after a 0-6 slate.
After qualifying for the FIBA Asia Cup, fans were surprised when Brian Goorjian stepped down from his head coaching job since he is one of the most successful coaches in Boomers history. Adam Caporn, an assistant for the Wizards in the NBA, was appointed to replace Goorjian last March, and this year’s continental tournament will be his first salvo.
The Boomers are not expected to field many NBA players in Jeddah because their B team can compete with Asia’s best. Some of their standouts include Chris Goulding, Elijah Pepper, David Okwera, Nick Kay, Joshua Bannan, Mitchell McCarron, Taran Armstrong, and Isaac White.
Goulding was Australia’s top scorer during the qualifiers at 29.0 points per game. Okwera led their rebounding with 8.5 rebounds per game, and Taran Armstrong was their top playmaker with 7.0 assists per game.
Lebanon spearheaded by dynamic duo
Lebanon raised eyebrows when they finished second behind Australia during the last FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. And the Cedars proved they’re no fluke, as they breezed past Syria, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates in Group F of last year’s qualifiers.
Miodrag Perisic’s side is going to be led by the dynamic duo of Wael Arakji and Omari Spellman. Spellman played in the NBA for three years before becoming a naturalized Lebanese citizen. The 27-year-old forward was the Cedars’ top scorer and rebounder in the qualifiers with 21.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest. Arakji has arguably become the best point guard in Asia after he won the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup MVP. The 30-year-old playmaker averaged 20.2 points and 6.0 assists per contest during the qualifiers.
Besides Arakji and Spellman, Lebanon also have the likes of Ali Haidar, Ater Majok, Sergio El Darwich, and Amir Saoud, who could help the squad make another deep run in the continental tournament.
Lebanon are trying to break their duck in the FIBA Asia Cup, as they have never won the prestigious trophy. Besides the previous edition, the Cedars also finished as runners-up in 2001, 2005, and 2007, and fourth place in 2003 and 2009.
Philippines to host mini-camp before flying to Jeddah
The Philippines are expected to be one of the tournament’s dark horses. They took the second spot in Group B with a 4-2 record, joining New Zealand in the big dance.
Gilas Pilipinas’ lack of pre-tournament preparations has doomed them in the past, but that is no longer the case under head coach Tim Cone. Following Ginebra’s semi-final exit in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, the veteran head coach went straight to work with the national team. According to reports, the Philippines will hold a mini-camp in Pampanga from July 25 to 27 before playing the Macau Black Bears in a friendly match on July 28.
Gilas Pilipinas will field an intriguing mix of young standouts and grizzled veterans. Some of the notable names include June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, Carl Tamayo, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, AJ Edu, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos, and Kevin Quiambao. Fajardo, Perez, and Oftana are still competing in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, representing San Miguel and TNT Tropang 5G.
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