MIES (Switzerland) - Advancing to the Second Round will be the goal of a number of teams in the highly anticipated Window 2 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers that tips off next Thursday.
Yes, some squads can already qualify to the next phase this early, particularly those who went perfect during the successful opening window last November - a window which offered lots of stories and surprises.
And definitely, we're bound for another thrilling window ahead given what's at stake. Let's take a look at which teams have a shot on making booking a spot in the Second Round, especially from Groups A and B.
Group A
Following splendid performances in Window 1 that led to 2-0 records, both the Philippines and Australia can book their spots in the Second Round as early as their first games in the window ahead, set on the 26th.
The favorite: Australia
The Boomers will face Guam in the latter's home turf in Mangilao Village to open Window 2, with Gilas hosting New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Win those matches, and they're through - simple as that.
As it stands, Team Philippines are leading Group A thanks to their massive rout of Guam, and will try to make it three in a row when they take on a team hungry to break through after getting swept by the Aussies.
Key matchup: Philippines vs. New Zealand
Records would show, though, that New Zealand have the mental edge against their Southeast Asian counterparts (6-1). But it's by no means a reason to be complacent, knowing that they once fell to them not long ago.
Who could forget that 93-89 stunner during Window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers? That was the Filipino hoopers' first-ever win against them after losing their first four to seal their place in the event proper.
Making it all the more interesting are the parallels from that time to the present. Gilas came into that bout - also held at the Mall of Asia Arena - with a 2-0 card and won to book a ticket to Jeddah. Can they do the same?
The underdog: Guam
Australia, on the other hand, will look to go 3-0 as well when they test the mettle of Team Guam, whom they will be facing for the first time in the FIBA stage in what should be the ultimate test for the upstart program.
Players to watch: The Boomers won't have their Window 1 star in Davo Hickey but they remain as formidable with a 12-man lineup led by Mitch Creek, who's suiting up for the first time since the 2019 World Cup in China.
The Philippines, on the other hand, will continue to miss the services of Kai Sotto who returned just recently from an ACL injury, but should have ample ceiling as the pool still has Quentin Millora-Brown and AJ Edu.
The second window could actually be an acid test for Gilas' bigs, as they're now tasked to man the fort following the retirement of national team OG Japeth Aguilar from international competitions back in Window 1.
New Zealand are expected to parade practically the same lineup from Window 1 while Guam could potentially be fielding in a new piece in BJ Freeman, a young guard that could kick-start the team's future-oriented buildup.
Group B
Similar to the co-leaders' situation in Group A, East Asian contenders Japan and Korea only need to succeed in their opening matches in the upcoming window to formalize their qualification to the Second Round.
Japan, who are currently leading Group B, will be taking on China at the Okinawa Arena in another heavyweight match between the rivals, while Korea are set to fly to New Taipei City to lock horns with Chinese Taipei.
Key matchup: Japan vs. China
Both games are on the 26th as well, with the Japan-China clash arguably one of the most awaited ones this window as it would be pitting a spotless team hoping to stay that way against a surprisingly winless side.
In case you'd need a refresher, Team Dragon got swept by the Koreans back in the first window. It marked the first time that they lost to them twice in a row, making this window truly crucial for their World Cup hopes.
The favorite: Korea
And that brings us to Team Korea. Following those victories, which they pulled off away and at home by the way, they simply need to ace their test against another 0-2 team in Chinese Taipei on the road.
Lee Hyunjung & Co. are bound to face a team wanting to break through after getting beaten by the Japanese twice the last time out - first a 64-90 pummeling in Tokyo, and then a 73-80 defeat at home in the rematch.
Speaking of Japan, the team will also be under the microscope as the last window proved to be the last of Tom Hovasse at the helm, with Dai Oketani tapped as the new shot-caller. How will this new era of sorts begin?
The underdog: Chinese Taipei
Chinese Taipei are the heavy underdogs for the second straight window and that's because of the fact that they haven’t tasted a win in the World Cup Qualifiers for a long while now. They’ve lost 13 of their last 14 games in this stage, including the last 11. And that’s exactly why they’re practically in a must-win situation this Window 2.
Players to watch: Hyunjung is once again at front and center for Korea but lest we forget about the other guy who shined back in Window 1 in Lee Junghyun, especially after starring in their second game versus China.
There, the sweet-shooting guard actually top-scored in the 90-76 triumph, firing 24 points behind a 6-for-7 clip from deep which he laced with a pair of assists and a quartet of assists - all for an efficiency of 26.
Japan, on the other hand, have Josh Hawkinson and Alex Kirk in their training roster. Both have always been serviceable to the men's team and Window 1 was an example, with 'J-Hawk' a solid proof of that.
Showcasing his versatility, Hawkinson averaged 13.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the 2 games he played, including a 14-12-8 showing to headline their opening duel versus Chinese Taipei.
Don't forget that one of the most intriguing matchups of this group will be between the aforementioned Lee Hyunjung and Chinese Taipei's Benson Lin, two of Asia's brightest rising stars who go way back since the U16 level.
World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Games Window 2 tips off on February 26 and will continue till March 2. Stream the action on Courtside 1891, with live games and on-demand replays. Blackouts might apply in certain territories.
FIBA