MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on My Mind) - The second Asian Qualifiers window begins today, but before all the action tips off, let's look at where each team stands.

Much is at stake in the second window, of course. A number of teams are still looking for their first wins, while a few are playing to get one foot in the door for the second round. How does each team stack up, and what are they playing for in the second window? Let's find out in our Power Rankings.

1- Australia

The Boomers continue to be heavy favorites entering the second window even if they play a similarly unbeaten Philippines. Much of their roster remains unchanged from the first window, and it is highly likely they will sweep both of their assignments this week. Should the Boomers make it to 4-0 by the end of the second window, they will have secured a slot in the second round.

2- China

Team Dragon went 2-0 in the first window without many of their top tier talents, and they should have an even bigger chance to duplicate that feat now that both Yi Jianlian and Guo Ailun are expected to lead the team in the second window. They will be tested against the Tall Blacks, but they should still be the favorites there. Afterwards, they should make quick work of Hong Kong in their second assignment.

3- Korea

The Koreans went 1-1 in the first window, repulsing New Zealand but losing to the Chinese. What that record belies, however, is the terrific chemistry and efficiency of this squad. They have been reinforced by top KBL shooter Doo KyungMin and new naturalized big man Ricardo Ratliffe, and their presence should make the Koreans an even tougher unit to crack. They should ease past Hong Kong, and then homecourt advantage will come in handy as they host New Zealand.

4- Iran

Like Korea, the Iranians went 1-1 in the first window, most notably absorbing a 74-66 loss to unfancied Iraq. That disappointment moved the IBF to recall veterans Hamed Haddadi and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami back to the national side, and Team Melli sure look primed and ready to return to their dominant ways in the second window. Their first game against the unbeaten Kazakhs should be a good litmus test, but what they're really looking forward to is their rematch at home against the Iraqis.

5- New Zealand

The Tall Blacks had a roller-coaster first window, dropping their home opener against Korea before trouncing the hapless Hong Kongers. They tweaked their lineup a bit for the second window, but their core remains intact, which is a very good thing. It'll be an uphill battle this week, though, as they try to inflict China's first loss tomorrow before trying to finally break the Korean curse on 26 February. Both are road games, too, so that makes things even more challenging.

6- Philippines

The Filipinos got the job done in the first window, defeating both Japan and Chinese Taipei, but they did so in not-so-convincing fashion. There is practically no room for error for Gilas Pilipinas in their battle today against Australia, and even at that they'll need the Boomers to play below par to have even a sliver of a chance at winning. The Philippines cannot afford to lose their rematch against Japan on Sunday, though, especially since a loss can really complicate their chances of advancing despite their currently unblemished slate.

7- Kazakhstan

The Steppe Wolves were the biggest surprise of the first window after they had a comfortable road win over Qatar and then outlasted Iraq at home. Now they tote a 2-0 card heading into a pivotal game against powerhouse Iran today before they host the Qataris on Sunday. Should Kazakhstan get at least 1 win in this window, they should be in very good shape to make it to the second round, but should they drop both their matches, then they'll be at a vulnerable state for the third window.

8- Jordan

Al Nashama's first window sweep was a tad surprising given how they still lacked a couple of key players, but it did not diminish how impressive their victories over Syria and Lebanon were. With a relatively healthy crew here in the second window, Jordan continue to be strong contenders to win, especially against an erratic Indian side tomorrow. A revamped Syria on Monday will be the true test for the Jordanians, however, but should they win both matches, then they will be great shape to make it to the next round.

9- Lebanon

The Cedars are an historically strong side, but injuries have prevented them from being at full strength in the Asian Qualifiers. For the second window, top power forward Ali Haidar will not see action, and that compounds matters even more. Their match with Syria tomorrow is going to be crucial, especially regarding Lebanon's placing in their group, but they should be able to breeze past India on Monday and regain some lost ground.

10- Iraq

Iraq are certainly no pushovers, but the element of surprise will no longer be there for them when they collide with Qatar today and then have that much-awaited rematch with Iran on Sunday. The results of this window may very well determine how far Iraq will go in this competition. Iraq have an outside shot at going 2-0 this week, but at the same time, they may also drop both games against quality opponents. Too much uncertainty may not be good for Iraq in this window.

11- Japan

The Japanese were disappointed in the first window, especially with their home loss to the Filipinos, but they should have better odds this week as they take on Chinese Taipei later and then go up against the Philippines again on Sunday. It seems coach Julio Lamas is playing strategically, too, resting Yuta Tabuse and Hyu Watanabe today before probably bringing them out against Gilas Pilipinas on 25 February.

12- Syria

Syria are a dangerous bunch, and they will be even more dangerous now that Justin Hawkins has been tapped as their new naturalized player. Hawkins is no spring chicken, but he can still score with the best of them. In tandem with the explosive duo of Micheal Madanly and Tarek Al-Jabi, Hawkins has the potential to carry Syria to at least one win this week as they play Lebanon and Jordan.

13- Chinese Taipei

Taipei lost both their first window assignments, and the prospects of getting their first win this week haven't exactly improved by leaps and bounds. They will be the underdogs when they go on the road against Japan today, and they have virtually no shot of beating Australia on the road on Sunday. Still, the Taipei side should look at this as a learning experience moving forward as they look to give more experience to their rising stars.

14- Qatar

Al Nashama underplayed in the first window, losing badly at home to Kazahstan before being blown out of the water in Tehran by the Iranians. They have retooled for the second window, recalling Trey Johnson, Mansour El Hadary and Yehia Abdelhaleem, but whether that will be enough to sidetrack Iraq and get payback against Kazakhstan remains to be seen.

15- India

If the Young Cagers had a full complement of all their elite players, they could hang with any team outside of Australia in FIBA Asia, but once again, they won't have all their best players suit up. The absence of top playmaker Vishesh Bhriguvanshi remains very critical, and even if Amjyot Singh does play, it sure seems like India will go winless again this week against both Jordan and Lebanon.

16- Hong Kong

If there is one team most in danger of eventually tumbling out of the top FIBA Asia level, that's Hong Kong. The Hong Kongers are in dire need of size and depth, but it just seems like that won't happen anytime soon. To say that the immediate future looks bleak for this East Asia side is an unfortunate understatement.

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

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