How? Go through the backdoor.
“The fourth and fifth placer here might still be invited daw in the wild card qualifier for the world championship," bared Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala shortly after meeting with FIBA-Asia officials Wednesday.
“So it’s still very important for us to finish among the Top 5."
Eala said such arrangement is not yet certain, although he’s assuming that the fourth and fifth placers are the ones to be tapped in each zone since there would be a wildcard qualifier to be held just before the world meet.
The major development came just as Powerade-RP is bracing for its showdown with Jordan in the knockout quarterfinals set Friday.
Hopefully, we can make the semifinals, which means that we’ll probably be invited in the qualifier even if we don’t make third. If we don’t make the semis, it’s still important that we make fifth place 
A win against the favored Jordanians in the 2 p.m. game would shove the Nationals into the semifinals of the meet, whose top three finishers automatically earn berths in next year’s FIBA-World meet.
A loss meanwhile, meant they can still aim for as high as a fifth place finish.
“Hopefully, we can make the semifinals, which means that we’ll probably be invited in the qualifier even if we don’t make third. If we don’t make the semis, it’s still important that we make fifth place," said Eala, who flew back to Manila Thursday along with RP-Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman and SBP executive Bernie Atienza.
According to Eala, 10 countries will be invited in the wild card tournament, with two teams representing per zone and fighting for the remaining four slots.
“That’s four slots. So still, that’s a good opportunity whether we are in the levels of others or not," said the SBP official. “At this point, that’s still a good development."
He added FIBA and not FIBA-Asia is the one going to decide on the matter.
Asked whether a fifth place finish is possible here, Eala believes so.
“I really think we are among the top five teams here," said the former PBA commissioner, who already informed successor Sonny Barrios about the piece of good news.
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