Iran drawn with Philippines in FIBA Asia U18 Championship

Iran has been drawn with Philippines, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia in Group D in the 22nd FIBA Asia U18 Championship which will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from August 17-26.

Defending champion China has been grouped alongside fellow East Asian team Hong Kong, West Asia’s Lebanon and South Asia champions India in Group A.

South Korea, who lost to China in the gold medal game at the 21st FIBA Asia Championship at two years ago, lead the fray in Group B, which consists of another East Asian contenders Japan along with Singapore and Syria.

Host Mongolia is in Group C, which comprises Chinese Taipei – the bronze medalists of the 21st FIBA Asia Championship – Indonesia and Bahrain, who are making a comeback into the competition after a gap of 30 years.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the second round of the championship.

The top three teams from the FIBA Asia U18 Championship will represent FIBA Asia at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship which will be played in Czech Republic from 27 June-7 July 2013.

“Groupings make no difference for us,” Mehran Hatami reacted to the draw.

“In this age-group no group is tougher than any other and no group is easier than any other. Underestimating any team is very dangerous,” he added.

“I just hope that we start the competition well,” said Hatami.