The 2014 Incheon Asian Games Men's Basketball event will be held from September 20 to October 15 in Incheon, South Korea. The Philippines, together with Iran, South Korea, China, and Chinese Taipei are expected to be the top teams to contend for a podium finish.

China won the gold in the last Asian Games which was held in China, but their chances to defend the gold medal was dampened with the exclusion of ex-NBA player Yi Jian Lian from their roster.

The Philippines, South Korea, and Iran, meanwhile, are fresh from competing in the 2014 FIBA World Cup where they went up against the top 24 teams in the World.

While Chinese Taipei won the silver medal in this year's FIBA Asia Cup, defeating China in the semifinals, before losing to Iran in the finals.

Competition Format (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/)

• Top eight teams in 2010 that are participating in 2014 were automatically seeded and will advance to the preliminary round. The other teams will play in the qualifying round.
• The qualifying round will be composed two groups of four teams each. Each team will play the teams within their group. The top two teams per group will advance to the preliminary round.
• The preliminary round will be composed of four groups of three teams each. Each team will play the teams within their group. The top two teams per group will advance to the quarterfinals.
• The quarterfinals will be composed of two groups of four teams each. Each team will play the teams within their group they haven't played yet. The top two teams per group will advance to the final round. The bottom two qualify to the classification round.
• The classification and final rounds are single-elimination tournaments, with a consolation game for the semifinals losers. In the final round, the winner of the third place game wins the bronze medal; the loser in the final is awarded the silver medal, while the winner wins the gold medal.

Groupings (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/)

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D	Group E	Group F
Mongolia  Hong Kong  Kuwait  Maldives	Saudi Arabia  Kazakhstan  Palestine  India	China  Chinese Taipei	South Korea  Jordan	Iran  Philippines	Japan  Qatar

FIBA backs the Philippines' stand on Blatche's eligibility for the Asian Games

September 6, 2014 | Manila, Philippines | The Philippines got a huge backing from no other than FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann regarding the Philippines' stand on Andray Blatche's eligibility to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Mr. Baumann sent an email dated September 5 to IAGOC saying that ONLY FIBA can decide the eligibility of a player in an international basketball competition. You can read the full copy of the email below:

 
FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann's letter to Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) re Andray Blatche's eligibility to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games
 

We have been informed that you are in charge of entering and accrediting various athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon and have just been informed that you have delisted from Entry one of the basketball athletes of the Philippine delegation.

We would like to inform you that the International Basketball Federation establishes the eligibility criteria for all basketball athletes worldwide for the purpose of their participation in national team competitions in official basketball competitions organized by or sanctioned by Fiba.

The player that you have prohibited Entry plays is registered in FIBA’s eligibility system as a player for the Philippines and has, in fact, just played several games this past week at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain for that country. It is quite confusing to hear that he is now not allowed to compete for the same team just a few weeks later.

You may not know, but—probably similar to other sports—FIBA’s eligibility rules apply, as an example, for all FIBA’s World Championships and for the Olympic Games. Also as an example, during an event like the Asian Games, FIBA’s International Referees officiate the Games and apply the Official Basketball Rules are edited by FIBA.

I am sure therefore that there must be a misunderstanding and I would kindly request that you review your decision and ally FIBA’s regulations on eligibility for all teams participating in the basketball tournament the Asian Games and re-enlist the Filipino player. This would certainly be fair for the athlete concerned and his country. Equally, if the same set of eligibility rules, namely that of the International Federation, is being applied to all international basketball events for national teams across the world, it ensures clarity for the media and the fans alike and credibility for the sport.

We look forward to hearing back from you on this matter and thank you for your understanding

Wishing you a very successful event in Incheon, I remain

Sincerely yours
Patrick Baumann
Secretary General