JORDAN SUFFER PHILIPPINES DEFEAT IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Jordan have lost their latest 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifier to The Philippines by the narrowest of margins, 81-82.
The thrilling match at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila launched the fourth phase of the second, decisive round of the Asian Qualifiers.
It started well, with Jordan leading 28-14 after the first quarter, before The Philippines fought back to claim the second, third, fourth quarters with scores of 25-16, 15-14, 18-14, levelling the match at 72-72 at the end of regulation time to force overtime.
The game continued to entertain, but the hosts secured victory by a single point to leave Jordan in third in Group E with 12 points, behind leader Australia with 14 points and second-placed Iran with 12 points. New Zealand sit fourth on the same tally with The Philippines in fifth on 10 points and Syria sixth on nine.
Australia are next tomorrow (Sunday), at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.
Jordan finished second in Group C during the first round of qualifiers with 11 points, accumulated from five victories against a single loss.
Teams qualifying for the second round carry forward their results and points from the first round, where Jordan team plays home-and-away matches against The Philippines, Australia and New Zealand in Group E, which also includes Syria, Iran - both of whom were alongside Jordan in the same first-round group so will not be played against again in this stage.
Meanwhile, Group F features Lebanon, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and China.
The top three teams from each group qualify directly for the World Cup finals, alongside the best fourth-placed team across both groups, while Qatar hosts the finals next year.