Batang Gilas drawn to tough FIBA U17 group

After the draw Monday, the Philippine side, which finished fourth in the FIBA Asia tourney, goes to Group D with Croatia, France, and the host nation. (Photo: Kai Zachary Sotto/Facebook)

MANILA — Batang Gilas ended up in a very tough group in the FIBA U17 Championship which will take place in Argentina.

After the draw Monday, the Philippine side, which finished fourth in the FIBA Asia tourney, goes to Group D with Croatia, France, and the host nation.

With the four teams known to be solid in their respective continents, Group D was tagged by many as the “group of death”.

Australia, the eventual champion of the FIBA Asia U16 Championship, joins Group A with Puerto Rico, Turkey, and Dominican Republic, while China, the runner-up, is grouped with Mali, USA, and Serbia in Group B.

The other team at the FIBA Asia podium, New Zealand, joins Canada, Egypt, and Montenegro in Group C.

The FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 will take place in Argentina from June 30 – July 8.