MOA Arena set for rare FIBA double bill as Gilas, China, and Chinese Taipei share Manila stage

Manila could soon become the heartbeat of Asian basketball for one night, with the Mall of Asia Arena poised to host more than just Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

While the spotlight is naturally fixed on the national team’s long-awaited return to home soil, FIBA’s official schedule hints at a broader storyline unfolding in Pasay. 

A Group B encounter between regional heavyweights China and Chinese Taipei is also slated for March 1, turning the venue into a neutral battleground for rival nations still searching for their first breakthrough in the qualifiers.

Both teams enter the window winless after two games, adding urgency to their Manila meeting. Before converging in the Philippines, China will test itself against Japan in Okinawa, while Chinese Taipei faces Korea in New Taipei City — results that could heighten the stakes by the time they step onto the MOA Arena floor.

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NEUTRAL GROUND

Filipino basketball fans are up for a treat as Chinese Taipei’s intended home match against China will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena, pending clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs #FIBAWC #StepItUp https://t.co/F8HiFEkYzG

— SPIN.ph (@spinph) December 23, 2025

The day’s significance doesn’t end there. Just hours after the China–Chinese Taipei clash, the same court will host a marquee Group A showdown between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia. 

The potential double-header sets the stage for a full day of high-level international basketball, blending neutral-site tension with home-crowd intensity.

The March 1 schedule is set to tip off at 4 p.m. with China versus Chinese Taipei, followed by Gilas’ primetime meeting with the Australians at 7:30 p.m. It’s a setup rarely seen in World Cup qualifiers — one arena, four national teams, and vastly different storylines colliding under one roof.

Unlike the Group B contenders, the Philippines enter the second window with momentum firmly on their side. 

Gilas remains unbeaten after a two-game sweep of Guam in the opening window, giving the home team both confidence and crowd support as it braces for one of the toughest opponents in Asia.

If confirmed, the MOA Arena double-header won’t just be about wins and losses. 

It will underline the Philippines’ growing role as a trusted host in Asian basketball — and offer fans a front-row seat to two crucial battles in the road to the 2027 World Cup.

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