Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Lucky? Perhaps.
The groupings for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship were determined in Changsha, China on Saturday (June 27), and Gilas Pilipinas will avoid powerhouses Iran, South Korea, and China in the preliminary round of the tournament.
The Philippines was drawn in Group B, together with Palestine, Kuwait, and the qualifying team from East Asia.
Defending champion Iran was put in Group A with Japan, Malaysia, and the South Asia qualifier, while Group C will make up of Korea, Jordan, Singapore, and China.
Chinese Taipei, Lebanon, Qatar, and Kazakhstan are in Group D.
The winner of the FIBA Asia Championship, which is set to take place in China from September 23 to October 3, will qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The silver and bronze medalists will go under the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Iran won the FIBA Asia Championship in 2013 when it was held in Manila. Gilas finished in second place, while Korea bagged third.
