MIES (Switzerland) - The third and final window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers' First Round is fast approaching and that means another edition of our Power Rankings, presented by SMART.
Thus far, we've already had four volumes of this after two windows and there's no doubt that each one of them became center of discussions online, with mixed reactions coming from fans and observers alike.
So, here's Volume 5. See below where your bets are entering Window 3.
16. India ⬇️1️⃣
Record: 0-3 Window 3 schedule: @ Lebanon, vs Qatar, vs Lebanon
Like the other teams from Groups C and D, India will have to play three games in the window ahead. But it won't just be their focus, as the program is also looking into the future after parting ways with Scott Flemming anew. It remains to be seen as to who takes over the helm but one thing's for sure: it's going to be another rebuild for this South Asian side, and Window 3 could be the commencement of their transition into whatever's next.
15. Guam ⬆️1️⃣
Record: 0-4 Window 3 schedule: @ Australia, @ New Zealand
Although their chances of advancing have gotten slim, Guam have no plans of stopping to try their hardest any time soon even though they're set to face their fellow Oceania teams once more. In fact, there's some excitement growing within Team Guahan, as Earnest Ross, Jr. is set for a comeback. Him and exciting guard BJ Freeman sharing the floor together? Fun times ahead from Coach EJ Calvo and his charges, we hope.
14. Iraq ↔️
Record: 0-3 Window 3 schedule: vs Jordan, @ Syria, @ Jordan
No Ramon Galloway and Abdullah Alibraheemi? It sure could be a tough predicament for Iraq but the veterans, led by Ihab Al-Zuhairi, are back in the fold for the squad. And familiarity shall be their main weapon in trying to break through - or better yet sweep - this window when they take on a Jordan team that's essentially back to square one (which we'll discuss further later), and a Syria side hoping to net more wins after a solid Window 2.
13. Saudi Arabia ↔️
Record: 2-1 Window 3 schedule: @ Qatar, vs Lebanon, vs Qatar
The gracious FIBA Asia Cup 2025 hosts are set for a difficult Window 3 as they're scheduled to face Qatar twice and Lebanon in between, but they are coming in with renewed confidence. The Saudis are welcoming back star big man Mo Alsuwailem, who's returning in time for their Second Round push after missing the last window.
12. Korea ⬇️1️⃣
Record: 2-2 Window 3 schedule: vs Chinese Taipei, vs Japan
How will Korea respond? That's now the biggest question that the East Asian contenders are facing entering Window 3. They got blanked in the second window after losing to Chinese Taipei and Japan, and their bid of getting back into the win column have suffered a massive blow as star forward Lee Hyun-jung - who's fresh off a championship run in the B.League - could be out to try his luck once more in the NBA Summer League.
11. Syria ⬆️1️⃣
Record: 1-2 Window 3 schedule: @ Iran, vs Iraq, vs Iran
Confidence is sky-high for Syria as the same cast that brought home win no. 1 back in Window 2 are coming back, led of course by Donte McGill. For starters, the combo guard starred in their 78-70 victory over Iraq, as he struck the dagger triple in the clutch to fend off their foes' late rally. He went on to finish with 34 big points, alongside 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Are we bound to see another big game from him and the Syrians?
10. Philippines ⬇️1️⃣
Record: 2-2 Window 3 schedule: @ New Zealand, @ Australia
Size could be an issue for Gilas this window with Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown not in the fold, although the team somehow got younger - and probably quicker - following the infusion of returning and fresher faces. Justine Baltazar got called back after a long while, Juan Gomez de Liano is suiting up anew, and then there's Mike Phillips, an intriguing talent which some fans in Asia are raring to see why he's nicknamed 'Motor Mike.'
9. Iran ⬆️1️⃣
Record: 2-1 Window 3 schedule: vs Syria, @ Jordan, @ Syria
Already without Mohammad Amini, Iran won't have Sina Vahedi around, too, due to an ACL injury he suffered earlier this year. The thing is, Team Melli have been giving the younger ones a chance to shine, and so there should be not much of a problem in finding the pieces to fill in the gaps. And by the way, we might be seeing super scorer Behnam Yakhchali in action once more, as he's part of the squad's preliminary roster for Window 3.
8. Chinese Taipei ↔️
Record: 1-3 Window 3 schedule: @ Korea, @ China
Expect Chinese Taipei to come out swinging after getting so close in beating China last window. They're bringing in the same core that beat Korea for their first win of the ongoing Qualifiers led by Brandon Gilbeck and Justin Lu, and have called back Bachir Gadiaga to bolster their bid of not only trying to get back against China, but also in attempting to repeat against a Korea team that won't have one of Asia's best players today.
7. Lebanon ⬇️1️⃣
Record: 2-1 Window 3 schedule: vs India, @ Saudi Arabia, @ India
One of Asia's biggest stars in Wael Arakji seems unlikely to be suiting up in this window but Lebanon remain solid nonetheless, given the amount of veterans their current lineup has - from the tandem of Amir Saoud and Karim Zeinoun, to the potential return of Ater Majok. Plus, there'll be ample energy coming from the fresher legs such as Jihad El Khatib and Karl Zamatta, giving Coach Ahmad Farran a good mix of experience and youth in a bid to get a win run going.
6. Japan ⬆️1️⃣
Record: 3-1 Window 3 schedule: @ China, @ Korea
After Coach Dai Oketani finally got his first win at the helm, there should be nowhere to go but up for Japan. He'd also gotten himself a vast talent pool bannered by Yuta Watanabe and Keisei Tominaga with a few former youth team standouts, and so it would be intriguing to see how the current Group B leaders would fare against the same teams they played last window, especially against a China team whom they have a score to settle with.
5. Jordan ⬇️1️⃣
Record: 3-0 Window 3 schedule: @ Iraq, vs Iran, vs Iraq
After nearly a year under Roy Rana, Jordan have brought back Wesam Al-Sous to become their head coach once more, entrusting the program to the same mentor that led them in the previous World Cup. But with this change, the Falcons are in the midst of another period of adjustment, and some are curious on how it would affect their standing in the ongoing Asian Qualifiers, where they are one of only two teams unbeaten thus far.
4. Qatar ⬆️1️⃣
Record: 2-1 Window 3 schedule: vs Saudi Arabia, vs India @ Saudi Arabia
Three games in, Qatar gave already matched their win total in the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers as they're currently toting a 2-1 record after pulling off wins against Lebanon and India. This is growth from the 2027 World Cup hosts, no doubt, and they only intend to win more when they face Saudi Arabia and India this window. Expect them to be in top form, too, after playing tuneups prior to Window 3, the most recent of which was against Tunisia.
3. New Zealand ↔️
Record: 2-2 Window 3 schedule: vs Philippines, vs Guam
After sweeping Window 2, New Zealand are keen on repeating against the Philippines and Guam as they fortified their lineup for the upcoming games. By bringing back Shea Illi and Tai Webster for this window screams that they mean business.
They also added more ceiling in particular by bringing back Sam Waardenburg to pair up with Sam Mennenga. Will we witness the birth of a new dreaded twin tower combination? What's sure, though, is that their upcoming foes will have their work cut out for the two agile bruisers.
2. China ↔️
Record: 2-2 Window 3 schedule: vs Japan, vs Chinese Taipei
If it's any indication, China's recent wins in their tuneups against an Australia selection squad and the Netherlands should prime the crew for a solid Window 3 ahead. And making them all the more dangerous is the fact that they're bringing in some of their young stars led by Yang Hansen, who's fresh off his rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers. It should be exciting how the 'Chinese Jokic' would thrive with Team Dragon this time.
1. Australia ↔️
Record: 4-0 Window 3 schedule: vs Guam, vs Philippines
Being the only 4-0 team in all of the present Asian Qualifiers, there should be no doubt why Australia are sitting atop our SMART Power Rankings anew. And the strong got even stronger, we believe, after the Boomers brought NBL icon Bryce Cotton into the mix, arming themselves another elite guard which could potentially cause tons of headaches not only to Guam and the Philippines, but for their future opponents in the Second Round.
Asia Cup 2022 champ and NBA 2025 Draftee Tyrese Proctor is also set to play - which should not make things any easier for foes of the Boomers.
DISCLAIMER: The Power Rankings are completely subjective and in no way represent an official or precise ranking system. All comments reflect the author’s opinions.
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