MANILA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - It has been confirmed that the Mall of Asia Arena will be the venue of the second clash between Philippines and Japan at the Asian Qualifiers.

The Philippines hosted Chinese Taipei in the first window of the Asian Qualifiers on 27 November at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and Gilas Pilipinas prevailed in that encounter, 90-83. Three days prior to that, the Filipinos played the Japanese at the Komazawa Olympic Park in Tokyo, also coming up with a win, 77-71.

Gilas Piliipnas's second meeting with Japan will be at the 20,000-seat-capacity Mall of Asia Arena, which is the second venue that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will use for the Asian Qualifiers, and they plan to use a third venue - the Philippine Arena - during the third window on 2 July when they host Australia.

The MOA was home to the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Philippines)

"By playing in the three venues – the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena and the Philippine Arena, this will serve as a dry run of our hosting of the FIBA World Cup 2023," SPB Executive Director Sonny Barrios told local media. "The three venues were presented as part of the country’s 2023 bid, and we get to showcase not only our facilities but our capabilities to the world."

The Philippines currently hold a 2-0 win-loss record in Group B of the Asian Qualifiers. Their next opponent is Australia, which also carry a 2-0 record, on 22 February 2018, and that game will be held at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne.

FIBA