Philippines Exits 2026 Asian Games After Heavy Loss to China

Sep 14, 2026

60 min

Sep 14, 2026 10:30

Defending champions Philippines are out of 2026 Asian Games after blowout loss to China

## Philippines' Early Exit

The Philippines' basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, has been eliminated from the 2026 Asian Games following a significant defeat by China. The match, held at Aichi International Arena in Japan, ended with a score of 105-61, marking a 44-point loss for the defending champions.

## Tournament Performance

Gilas Pilipinas had a challenging tournament, managing only one victory against Kazakhstan after an initial loss to Bahrain. Their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals were dashed as they needed to avoid a loss greater than 37 points against China, but fell short.

## Historical Context

This early exit is particularly surprising given the Philippines' strong history in Asian Games basketball, having secured five gold medals in the past. Only China surpasses them with eight golds. The team's defensive struggles were evident against China's size and skill, contributing to their downfall.

## Current Standings

Finishing third in Group C, the Philippines had a point difference of -17, which was less favorable compared to Saudi Arabia and Jordan in their respective groups. Despite the official opening of the Asian Games being set for September 19, basketball events had already begun, leaving the Philippines out of contention before the ceremonies.

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