Gilas 5, Palestine face off in opener

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas kicks off its campaign in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship against Palestine at 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Changsha Social World College Gymnasium in Changsha, China.

The Nationals, in a light preliminary-round bracket, next play Hong Kong at 9:30 p.m. the following day, then Kuwait at 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 25.

It will then be an uphill battle for Team Phl as the top three from Group B will join the top three from Group A among Iran, Japan, Malaysia and India to form Group E.

Defending champion Iran tangles with Japan at 2:30 p.m. then Malaysia tackles India at 7:30 p.m. in separate venues on opening day.

The other Group B match in the inaugurals pits Kuwait versus Hong Kong at 9:30 a.m.

In Group C, South Korea and Jordan mix it up at 4:45 p.m. then China and Singapore square off at 7:30 p.m.

In Group D, it’s Chinese Taipei versus Lebanon then Qatar against Kazakhstan.

After the initial phase of the tourney, the top three from Groups C and D advance to compose Group F.