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July 2017
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Division A Team Guide - Korea and Philippines

BENGALURU (FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017) - Korea and Philippines both face some stumbling blocks heading into the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017, but it would be foolish to count them out so soon.

Both countries will play in Group A at the Women's Asia Cup in Bengaluru, India, and here is all you need to know about perennial contenders Korea and rising power Philippines.

Group Games (local time):
Sunday 23 July
Korea v Australia - 11:00
Philippines v Japan - 13:15

Monday 24 July
Philippines v Australia - 11:00
Korea v Japan - 15:30

Tuesday 25 July
Korea v Philippines - 13:15


KOREA
2015: 3rd place
Best Finish: Champions (12 times)
How they qualified: Automatically as Semifinalists in 2015

One to watch: Kim DanBi
- The 27-year-old DanBi was Korea's leading scorer in the FIBA Asia Women's Championship 2015, and she will play at Asia's highest level of Women's Basketball for the fourth time running. This time around, she will be one of the veterans on a team that has been depleted by injuries left and right. Still, DanBi has proven time and again that she can carry this team and find a way to make her teammates better. It cannot be overstated how much Korea's fortunes rest on her broad shoulders.

Outlook: With many of their old reliables unavailable or sidelined by injuries, Korea will be sending a relatively young crew to Bengaluru. DanBi leads a handful of holdovers from the 2015 squad that finished on the podium, and much will be expected of them, especially center Park JiSu, who should take on a much bigger role this year. Korea won't be as deep as some of the other title contenders in this competition, but if a few breaks go their way, this squad can go far and qualify for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018.


PHILIPPINES
2015: 7th place - Qualified for Division A
Best Finish: 4th place (1965)
How they qualified: Qualifying round winners at the FIBA Asia Women's Championship 2015

One to watch: Afril Bernardino
- Afril is only 21-years-old and still in university, but that won't stop her from being the best player on this Perlas Pilipinas quintet. Her best game in 2015 was against India, where she dropped 32 big points to carry the Philippines into Division A. At only 1.72m, Afril is far from imposing and intimidating, but she let's her game do the talking. She can weave through defenses quite effortlessly while also being a greyhound defense, as proven by her averaging 3.2 steals per game in 2015.

Outlook: The Philippines have shown tremendous improvement the past couple of years, but they may find themselves punching above their weight in the Women's Asia Cup. They will finally get a taste of elite level international basketball, and it won't be pretty. Coach Patrick Aquino is aware of this reality, however, and for him, as long as Perlas are able to be competitive and learn from each game, they should be fine.

FIBA