Based on these results, the top team in Group A might be too hot to handle for the rest. The Smart Araneta Coliseum gets a facelift ahead of the FIBA World Cup. Their campaign started with a 90-89 win against Turkey in an overtime thriller. The Philippines started playing preparation games very early, but not against World Cup opposition. Group A action starts on August 25 at the Philippine Arena, with Italy taking on Angola at 4 p.m.
