MIES (Switzerland) - Window 4 action continues on Friday with three compelling Group E games, as the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers gets fully underway.
Iran and New Zealand will commence proceedings at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines followed by Syria facing the daunting task of taking on undefeated Australia. Wrapping up the August 28 slate, Jordan will meet hosts Philippines in what could be one of the most intriguing games of the day.
There is plenty at stake for all six teams. Australia enter the Second Round at a perfect 6-0, with Iran and Jordan both at 5-1 and New Zealand at 4-2. Further down the standings, however, Philippines and Syria have little room for error after carrying 2-4 records into the new phase.
Iran and New Zealand have already developed quite the rivalry, with Team Melli getting the better of the Tall Blacks in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Third-Place Game. Iran prevailed 79-73 to take the bronze medal, denying New Zealand a place on the podium.
This time, though, the Tall Blacks come in with the more explosive offense, averaging 93.2 points per game compared with Iran's 75.3 so far in the Qualifiers. New Zealand also lead the Asian Qualifiers in second-chance scoring at 20.8 points per game, but Iran have been exceptionally stingy in that department, allowing just 6.5 second-chance points per contest.
The individual battle will be fascinating as well. Iran's Arsalan Kazemi remains one of the team's key all-around contributors, while Sam Mennenga has scored in double-figures in all five of his Qualifiers appearances for New Zealand. Interestingly, the Tall Blacks have won all three games in which Mennenga has started and lost both in which he has come off the bench.
From there, it is a meeting of two teams at opposite ends of the Group E spectrum as Syria take on Australia.
The Boomers are the only unbeaten team remaining in the group after sweeping the First Round, while Syria enter at 2-4. The contrast is stark: Australia are averaging 53 percent shooting from the field, compared with Syria's 41.6 percent.
Syria, however, will have nothing to lose. Donte Lamont McGill has been their leading offensive force, but he won't be around in this window. Instead, it'll be James Justice Jr. who will likely carry much of the scoring load. Australia, meanwhile, can call upon a deep roster and an offense that has scored more than 90 points in each of their last four Qualifiers games.
The final game of the day could be the most consequential of all. Jordan sit third at 5-1 and will host a Philippines side desperate to recover from a four-game losing streak. The Falcons have won 13 of their last 16 home games in the World Cup Qualifiers, including scoring 100-plus points in two of their last three.
Gilas Pilipinas, however, arrive with renewed hope after welcoming back Kai Sotto. The 216 cm / 7'1" center has returned to the national team after nearly two years away and gives the Philippines a major interior presence at a time when they desperately need a spark.
Jordan will again lean on Jalen Harris, one of the competition's premier scorers, while the task of contending against Sotto should fall on Ahmad Al Dwairi. The Philippines will not have Justin Brownlee around for offensive production, so they need other stars to shine under the Mall of Asia Arena's bright lights.
With Jordan trying to consolidate their place in the top three and the Philippines effectively fighting for survival, this will be a crucial early test of Gilas' Second Round credentials.
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Iran have won their last three World Cup Qualifiers games and are looking for four straight victories for only the second time in their history. The only previous occasion came with a six-game winning streak spanning 2017 and 2018.
New Zealand have won nine of their 12 games played in the Second Round of the World Cup Qualifiers, with their last six victories at that stage all coming by 12 or more points.
Sam Mennenga has scored in double figures in all five of his World Cup 2027 Qualifiers appearances, including 27 points against Guam in his most recent outing.
New Zealand's second-chance offense meets Iran's second-chance defense: the Tall Blacks average a region-best 20.8 points per game from second-chance situations, while Iran allow an Asia-low 6.5.
Jordan have won 13 of their last 16 home games in the World Cup Qualifiers and scored 100-plus points in two of their last three.
The Philippines have lost their last four World Cup Qualifiers games, their longest losing streak in the competition, although they have won six of their last eight games in the Second Round.
The Philippines' perimeter defense will be tested: Gilas have conceded 10 or more three-pointers in six of their last eight Qualifiers games, including each of their last three.
Australia are uniquely dominant in turnover situations, averaging 23.2 points from turnovers per game while conceding just 7.5 -- the only Asian team to clear 20 on offense while staying below 10 defensively.
Syria have lost all six of their previous Second Round games in the World Cup Qualifiers, conceding an average of 32.3 points per game and allowing 90-plus points in five of those contests.
Australia have won their last 17 World Cup Qualifiers games by an average margin of 30.5 points. They have also scored more than 90 points in each of their last four games, their longest such run in the competition.
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