Game Preview: Gilas Pilipinas, Iraq Face Win-or-Go-Home Showdown in FIBA Asia Cup 2025

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by Lou Reyes

Gilas Pilipinas, Iraq Face Win-or-Go-Home Showdown in FIBA Asia Cup 2025
Gilas Pilipinas' June Mar Fajardo (right) and Iraq's Demario Mayfield in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. Photo: FIBA.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Gilas Pilipinas as they battle Iraq in their final group stage match of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah. Both squads enter the contest winless, meaning the victor advances to the quarterfinal qualification phase while the defeated squad heads home.

Here is a quick preview of the upcoming game:

Gilas Pilipinas, Iraq Face Win-or-Go-Home Showdown in FIBA Asia Cup 2025
Gilas Pilipinas' Justin Brownlee. Photo: FIBA.

Match Details

📅 Date/Time: Saturday, August 9 — 11 a.m. Jeddah / 4 p.m. Manila
📍 Venue: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Gilas’ Fight for Survival
After back-to-back losses — including a 94-86 setback against New Zealand — the Philippines (0-2) needs a breakthrough performance. Iraq, ranked 92nd globally, is also desperate for a win after falling 87-60 to Chinese Taipei.

Iraq’s Perimeter Threat
If there’s one area Gilas must address, it’s defending the three-point line. Opponents have consistently found success from deep against the Filipinos. Iraq struggled from distance versus Chinese Taipei (3-of-21) but showed its shooting potential against New Zealand, hitting 12-of-27 to keep the game close until the final period.

Key Iraq Players

  • Diar Ahmed Abdul Allah Abdul Allah: Scored 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc against New Zealand but went scoreless in his next outing.

  • Abdullah Hayder Alibraheemi: Iraq’s leading scorer so far with 13.5 points per game.

  • Demario Mayfield: The team’s naturalized player and Italian league veteran, averaging 10 points.

Gilas Pilipinas, Iraq Face Win-or-Go-Home Showdown in FIBA Asia Cup 2025
Iraq's Thulfiqar Hammoodi (left) and coach Veselin Matic. Photo: FIBA.

Owning the Glass

Rebounding will be crucial. Gilas was outrebounded 41-33 by the Tall Blacks, and Iraq has size in 6-foot-10 towers Ihab Al-Zuhairi and Mohammed Al-Khafaji, each grabbing around seven boards a night. June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu will need to impose their presence inside.

Supporting Brownlee
Justin Brownlee poured in 37 points against New Zealand, including five triples, but lacked consistent scoring help. Dwight Ramos was the only other local in double figures with 17. The bench has contributed just 13.5 points per game — far from enough in a high-stakes match.

Gilas Pilipinas, Iraq Face Win-or-Go-Home Showdown in FIBA Asia Cup 2025
Gilas Pilipinas' Dwight Ramos. Photo: FIBA.

Calvin Oftana’s slump has also hurt Gilas’ offense, with the forward averaging only 3.0 points on 15% shooting. The team overall has been cold from deep, making just 30% of its three-pointers (17-of-56). Sharper outside shooting could be the difference in staying alive.

For Gilas, the formula is clear: defend the arc, win the rebounding battle, and give Brownlee the scoring support he needs. Failure to do so could mean an early exit from the tournament.