Gilas opens QF round vs Qatar

INCHEON, South Korea - The road to the medal round gets harder as Gilas Pilipinas fell to rival Iran in a heartbreaking 68-63 loss on Thursday at Hwaseong gymnasium one hour outside this burgeoning industrial city.

Despite the loss, Gilas advanced to the single round robin quarterfinals. They are grouped with host Korea, Qatar and Kazakhstan.

Iran, meanwhile, went to the easier group with the rebuilding China, who survived Quincy Davis-less Chinese Taipei, 59-58, on Thursday.

Surprise quarterfinalist Mongolia and  Japan complete the cast.

After that physical and tightly-fought match between Gilas and Iran, Gilas coach Chot Reyes believes that the FIBA Asia champions are no longer that invincible.

"We will beat them when we need to," Reyes told reporters after the heartbreaking loss where Gilas squandered a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.

If Gilas can sweep their group, they will face the no. 2 team in the other group, which in all likelihood will be China, in the knockout semis to arrange a possible rematch with Iran in the finals.

But first things first, Gilas will need to take care of business in the quarterfinal round that will start Friday against Qatar, who barely beat Japan, 72-71, to conclude the elimination round.

The game against Qatar will be played at 6:30 p.m. in Hwaseong gymnasium and will be aired live on TV5 at 5:30 p.m. Manila time. After Qatar, Gilas will play Korea on Saturday (1 p.m. Manila time) and Kazakhstan on Sunday (2:15 p.m. Manila time).