Match-ups set for FIBA-Asia Championships quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines — There’s no place for off-nights in a knockout quarterfinals format like in the FIBA- Asia Championships.

As the playoffs of the 27th Asian championships start on Friday, the top eight nations shift their preparation to full gear as they realize that just one mistake could cost them their bid to make it to FIBA-Worlds in Spain next year.

With memories of 2011 still etched on their minds, powerhouse Iran seeks revenge versus Jordan as the two meet in the 3 p.m. encounter at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Iranians still haven’t met their match thus far in the competition, which dangles three slots to the FIBA-Worlds in 2014, but that does not assure them of anything at this point.

“We’ll be ready to play. They know us, we know them,” said Iran’s head coach Mehmed Becirovic about facing Jordan.

With former tournament MVP Yi Jianlian back in the saddle for China, Chinese-Taipei, meanwhile,  will have its hands full trying to dethrone the defending champions.

The Chinese and the Taiwanese slug it out for a semifinals spot at 5:45 p.m. on Friday.

The victors in both match-up set up a one-off semifinals clash on Saturday.

After topping group E, the Philippines, meanwhile, gets a crack at a Kazakhstan squad, which head coach Chot Reyes admitted he was “worried about.”

These two teams met in an exhibition game two weeks ago with the Filipinos winning, 92-89, but Reyes discounted any edge that win brings.

“It was a big help, but right now that tune-up doesn’t mean a thing,” he said.

Kazakhstan and the Philippines meet again on Friday at 8:30 p.m.

Qatar and South Korea, both coming off confidence-boosting wins in the last day of the second round, then square off at 10:30 p.m.

“Next is Korea. We’re looking forward to have the opportunity to get through to the final four,” said Qatar head coach Tim Wisman.

At stake is a chance to battle the winner of the Philippines-Kazakhstan meet for a spot in the top two.