JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Rematches between basketball rivals would be the theme when teams from Groups C and D hit the hardwood in the fast-approaching FIBA Asia Cup 2025 that commences next week.
And so, let's take a closer look at some of the much anticipated games from both pools. If ever you have yet to catch up on which matches should pique your interest in Groups A and B, check it out here.
Group C
China vs. Saudi Arabia
Tuesday, August 5 King Abdullah Sports City 18:00 local time
The home team, of course, gets to see action on Opening Day and they'd be tested right away as Saudi Arabia are scheduled to face the competition's most successful team in China in a bout set at 18:00 local time.
While it's already a given that they're out to submit a fine showing to commence their campaign, the Saudis are coming in a motivated bunch as they look to give the country its first win against Team Dragon.
A quick check at the Asia Cup history books show that both teams have faced each other in the FIBA stage twice, both of which were in this very tournament. The Chinese won on both occasions in convincing fashion, too.
China vs. Jordan
Saturday, August 9 King Abdullah Sports City 14:00 local time
Team China would definitely want to keep that winning streak against Saudi Arabia but their sights are, needless to say, set on the bigger picture, and that is to sweep Group C for an outright Quarter-Final berth.
But it's not just the vengeful KSA that they have to worry about. There are still the youth-driven India and Jordan, another team that they share some history with - and are out to trim the gap in their head-to-head battles.
These teams left a mark among Asian fans as the protagonists of the 2011 Final in Wuhan, which saw the host nation strike gold but not before overcoming a tough Falcons stand - the 70-69 result should say it all.
China and Jordan have faced each other in the FIBA scene nine times. The latter won their most recent duel - an 86-62 rout during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers in February of the said year.
Still, China have the edge, having won seven times in their meetings. Will they keep their mastery of the Jordanians, or will their West Asian counterparts chop the gap further? That we have to see.
India vs. Saudi Arabia
Saturday, August 9 King Abdullah Sports City 18:00 local time
Another source of motivation for Saudi Arabia coming into the games is keeping their unbeaten streak alive against India, whom they will face on Saturday as well scheduled for an 18:00 local time tip-off.
Saudi have previously faced their South Asian opponents four times and won all matches, the most recent of which was a 92-75 triumph during the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament 2023 in Syria.
There's this 'drive for five,' so to speak, but the team knows at the same time that it won't be any easy as they're bound to take on an India team buoyed by inspired performances from the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Group D
Chinese Taipei vs. Philippines
Tuesday, August 5 King Abdullah Sports City 21:00 local time
Meanwhile, Group D action will commence on August 5 as well as part of the Opening Day festivities, with Chinese Taipei and the Philippines taking the floor at 21:00 local time in one of the tilt's most awaited games.
Gilas Pilipinas have an axe to grind against their rivals from East Asia, especially after what happened in their previous meeting during the 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers' third window last February.
They bowed to a 91-84 decision, falling to a Lu Chun-Hsiang dagger triple in the dying seconds that ended their unbeaten run in the recent Qualifiers - and snapped a three-game win streak against them, too.
Both teams have met seven times and Chinese Taipei have only won twice, but that second win should feel so sweet as it resuscitated their hopes of advancing to the Asia Cup which they eventually accomplished.
Iraq vs. Chinese Taipei
Thursday, August 7 King Abdullah Sports City 14:00 local time
Chinese Taipei qualified for the Asia Cup by sweeping the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Placed Teams last March to book their 19th successive appearance in the prestigious continental showpiece.
But surely, they aren't just happy to be there. The crew would want to rack up as many wins as they could, although it could be easier said than done given that there are two other contenders in the group.
Add to that the intriguing fact that they're facing Iraq for the first time ever - yes, never have these two teams crossed paths in the FIBA stage in the past, making their match set August 7 an interesting one.
The Lions of Mesopotomia are headed to just their fifth Asia Cup stint, returning after eight years or since last competing in the 2017 edition in Beirut, Lebanon where they finished just outside the top 10.
Philippines vs. New Zealand
Thursday, August 7 King Abdullah Sports City 18:00 local time
The Philippines actually lost both of their assignments during Window 3 of the Asia Cup Qualifiers. Their other defeat came at the hands of New Zealand, a vengeful 87-70 rout at the Spark Arena in Auckland.
Vengeful, you say? That's because Tall Blacks came in hungry to exact revenge after bowing to Gilas by way of a narrow 93-89 decision in their Window 2 meeting last November at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Not only did New Zealand's bid of going 3-0 in the Qualifiers got spoiled but the result also ended their unscathed record against the Philippines, having won their first four encounters before that stunner of an outcome.
But they've gone back to their winning ways since, and so it eyes would be on this team if they'd be able to once again beat the Southeast Asian side or if the latter has something up their sleeve to retaliate.
*Disclaimer: This is a subjective list made by the FIBA Asia Communications team in an effort to further encourage basketball fans to watch the games. To check the complete FIBA Asia Cup 2025 schedule, click here.
FIBA