FIBA Asia 2013: Championships Schedule, Draw, Bracket and More

When 15 teams begin play in the Federation International Basketball Association (FIBA) Asia championship in Manila, Philippines, a trip to the FIBA World Cup will be on the line. The tournament runs from Aug. 1-11 and the competition will be spirited.

The field would normally be made up of 16 teams, but Group B was reduced to just three teams after the Lebanese team was suspended.

Per FIBA, the Lebanese team was banned for "serious infringement of the FIBA General Statutes and all principles under which the Olympic sports movement is founded." The three teams in Group B will play a shorter preliminary schedule and all three will qualify for the second round.

Overall, only the top three finishers in the tournament will earn a berth in the World Cup.

Here are the national teams that will be in action:

Once the teams that qualify for the second round are established, here's how the second-round groupings, quarterfinals, semi-finals and medal rounds will shake out, per FIBA.com:

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Second Round Groupings
Group E: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3
Group F: C1, C2, C3, D1, D2, D3

Each team will play the three (3) new teams in its own group (the results of games played against the fellow qualifying teams in the Preliminary Round are valid for this round).

The top four from each group in the Second Round will advance to the Knockout Quarter-Finals.

Quarter-Finals
QF1: F2 v E3
QF2: F4 v E1
QF3: E2 v F3
QF4: E4 v F1.

Semi-Finals
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
SF2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4

Medal Games
Gold: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2
Bronze: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2.

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Players to Watch

There are several interesting players in the tournament. Some of them have NBA experience and many may still play in the league in the future. Here's a look at three players who figure to make a big impact at FIBA Asia 2013.

Hamed Haddadi - Iran

The former Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns center never made a huge impact in the NBA, but he has proven to be a force internationally for Iran.

He won the MVP of the William Jones Cup as he led Iran to a 7-0 record in the tournament. The 7'2" center was like a man among boys in the tournament and he figures to have similar success in this tournament. Size is at a premium as two teams in the field (Thailand and Malaysia) don't have a player taller than 6'5".

Look for Haddadi to lead another strong effort from the Iranians.

Yi Jianlian - China

The most-skilled player in the tournament is undoubtedly Yi. The seven-footer with impressive skills away from the basket had mixed results in the NBA with the Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks, but he's all-world internationally.

He's capable of huge scoring games or stat-sheet stuffing performances. Yi could easily lead China to another FIBA Asia title, as he did in 2011.

C.J. Giles - Bahrain

The Bahrainis have little chance to qualify for the FIBA World Cup, but Giles will be a force on the inside. There are few legitimate big men in this tournament and Giles' ability to block shots and control the glass should stand out.

The former Kansas Jayhawks player has great length and athleticism. He was booted off the Jayhawks roster by head coach Bill Self after being cited for battery. Giles was born in America, but has been playing for Al-Muharraq  in the Bahrain Basketball Association.

For a look at each team's roster, click the links below (Hoopnut.com)

Iran and China

Malaysia and South Korea

Kazakhstan and Bahrain

India and Thailand

Taiwan and Philippines

Jordan and Saudi Arabia

Ratar, Japan and Hong Kong

Prediction

China and Iran are seemingly a given for the Gold Medal game, but the third spot is more of a wildcard. Despite some youth in the Chinese backcourt, Yi and Co. are still the smartest pick to win the gold medal with Iran taking the silver.

As for the bronze, South Korea has just enough size and shooters to qualify. 

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