Philippines def Saudi Arabia, 95-88 [July 12, 2025 | Jeddah, KSA]
The home team now stands as the formidable obstacle in the path of Gilas Pilipinas.
The national squad has set the stage for a high-stakes, do-or-die encounter with Saudi Arabia in a play-in match that will determine their advancement to the quarterfinals of the 31st FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah.
Just hours after clinching their first victory of the group stage with a 66-57 triumph over Iraq, the Filipinos learned that they would next face the host nation in another intense elimination battle at the King Abdullah Sports City.
This critical matchup was confirmed after the Falcons secured their place as the second seed in Group C, finishing with a 2-1 record, capped off by a dominant 84-59 victory over India in their final elimination round game.
Gilas barely squeezed into the qualification bracket, finishing as the third team in Group D with a 1-2 record.
The Philippines-Saudi Arabia showdown is scheduled for midnight Tuesday (Manila time), with the victor moving on to face two-time defending champion and world no. 7, Australia, in the quarterfinals.
Coach Tim Cone is acutely aware of the challenging road that lies ahead for Gilas, beginning with their face-off against Saudi Arabia, where a raucous home crowd is anticipated.
Compounding the Philippines’ worries is the injury status of shooting guard Calvin Oftana, who sustained an ankle sprain on his right foot during Gilas’ win over Iraq.
If there is a silver lining, it’s that Gilas has previously bested Saudi Arabia in their last two encounters during the qualification rounds for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
With Jordan Clarkson leading the charge and Gilas directed by coach Chot Reyes, the Filipinos decisively defeated the Falcons, 84-46, at the Mall of Asia Arena, and then managed to overcome them again in Jeddah with a score of 76-63.
While seven players from that Saudi Arabia squad remain with the team, they now boast added firepower in the forms of Mohammed Alsuwailem and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman.
Both Alsuwailem and Abdur-Rahkman made significant contributions in their comprehensive 25-point victory over India. Alsuwailem recorded a stellar double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Abdur-Rahkman delivered an impressive all-around performance with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Abdur-Rahkman, a former standout for the Michigan Wolverines, who faced Villanova in the 2018 NCAA finals, has emerged as Saudi Arabia’s naturalized player, ranking third in the tournament with an average of 23.7 points, along with 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
At 6-foot-9, Alsuwailem ranks second in Asia Cup rebounding with a stellar average of 12.0 boards per game, while also contributing 14.7 points and 1.7 assists to his team’s efforts.
