via FIBA Asia
TOKYO, Japan (4th FIBA Asia Cup): The schedule of games for the Preliminary Round competition at the 4th FIBA Asia Cup to be played in Tokyo (Japan) from Sept 14-22 has been announced.
Reigning FIBA Asia champions China take on SEABA champions Philippines with hosts Japan lining up against the winners of the inaugural edition of this event – when it was known as the FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup – Qatar are the top draws of the opening day of the competition on Sept 14.
Defending champions of this event Lebanon meet Macau and former twice FIBA Asia championship winners Iran match wits with SABA’s India to complete the fare for the opening day.
Groupings for the Preliminary Round
Group A: China, Lebanon, Macau, Philippines, Uzbekistan
Group B: Iran, Taiwan, Qatar, Japan, India
System of Competition
The 10 teams are pooled into two groups of five teams each for the Preliminary Round. Each team will play all the others in their respective Groups. The top four from each Group will advance to the Quarterfinal Play-offs. The teams finishing fifth in the groups will play off for the 9th place.
About 4th FIBA Asia Cup
The 4th FIBA Asia Cup (earlier known as FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup) is the qualifying event for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship in 2013, which in turn will be the qualifying event for 2014 FIBA World Cup.
The winners of the 4th FIBA Asia Cup will automatically qualify for the 27th FIBA Asia Championship in 2013. The top four teams at the 4th FIBA Asia Cup will earn additional berths for their respective FIBA Asia sub zones.
About FIBA Asia
FIBA Asia (http://fibaasia.net) is the governing body for basketball in Asia. With 44 National Federations affiliated FIBA Asia is one of the largest among the five FIBA zones – FIBA Europe, FIBA Americas, FIBA Africa and FIBA Oceania are the others. The members of the FIBA Asia family bring a diversity of cultures and languages making FIBA Asia the most varied, vivid and vibrant basketball community in the world. As the governing body, FIBA Asia is responsible for controlling and developing the sport of basketball in Asia.