With the first group stage of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 over, the focus now shifts to the next round, where berths in the quarterfinals and slots in next year's Paris Olympics are at stake.
No Asian country advanced in the tournament, so all six teams will now play in the classification round to determine the 17th to 32nd places. The team that finishes with the highest ranking will head to Paris.
Here's a refresher on how it works:
All teams relegated to the classification round will carry over their win-loss record from the first group stage. The bottom two teams in Groups A and B will merge to form Group M, the bottom two in Groups C and D will form Group N, E and F form Group O, and G and H form Group P.
Teams will play the two teams from the other group, i.e. Teams A3 and A4 will play Teams B3 and B4, giving each team a total of five games. All 16 teams will then be ranked according to their final win-loss record. In case of ties, point differential will be used.
Asian teams went a combined 1-17 in the first round, with Japan being the only country to get a win. In 2019, China was in the same position, but lost to Iran for the Olympic slot after going 0-2 in the second round. Iran beat the Philippines by 20 to advance via point differential.
With those details in mind, here's a breakdown of each Asian team's path to Paris.
China (Group M)
Latest result: Beat Angola
Will play: Philippines (0-3) on Saturday
Record: 1-3
Point differential: minus-73
Status: Still alive but barely
China are still mathematically in it, but they have to beat the Philippines, hope that Japan loses to Cape Verde, and pray that margins of victory in both those games is large enough to overcome Japan's 44-point lead in point differential. Tough.
Iran (Group P)
Latest result: Lost to France
Will play: Lebanon on Saturday
Record: 0-4
Point differential: minus-90
Status: Out
Iran will not repeat their 2019 accomplishment after losing by 27 to France.
Japan (Group O)
Latest result: Beat Venezuela
Will play: Cape Verde on Saturday
Record: 2-2
Point differential: minus-19
Status: Looking very, very good
The FIBA World Cup co-hosts can formally claim a spot to Paris with a win over Cape Verde. A loss won't necessarily hurt them, so long as the margin isn't too large.
Jordan (Group N)
Latest result: Lost to Egypt
Will play: Mexico on Saturday
Record: 0-3
Point differential: minus-93
Status: Out
Jordan formally bows out after a 16-point loss to Egypt.
Lebanon (Group P)
Latest result: Beat Cote D'Ivoire
Will play: Iran on Saturday
Record: 1-3
Point differential: minus-90
Status: Still alive but barely
Lebanon finally tasted victory, but finds itself in the same situation as China, only worse given their minus-90 point differential. It will need a massive win over Iran and an equally massive loss by Japan to have a shot.
Philippines (Group M)
Latest result: Lost to South Sudan
Will play: China on Saturday
Record: 0-4
Point differential: minus-42
The hosts are out. Gilas last qualified for the Olympics in 1972 and have not been back since.