Kazakhstan's men's basketball team lost its second match at the Asian Games in Japan. Following the loss to China, Alexander Lysyak's squad fell to the Philippines 78:109. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Group C, where Kazakhstan plays, is far from easy. China is a 16-time FIBA Asia Cup winner and an eight-time Asian Games champion. The Philippines is a five-time Asian Games champion and the current titleholder. In this esteemed company, Bahrain appears weaker. However, in the first round, Bahrain unexpectedly defeated the Philippines 89:85.

After a predictably heavy defeat to China at the start (61:99), our team needed to beat either the Philippines or Bahrain to reach the playoffs. Third place in the group still leaves chances for the quarterfinals. Against the Philippines, it didn't work out. As in the game with China, Kazakhstan lost all quarters – 15:18, 22:32, 29:32, 12:27.

A three-point deficit after the first quarter hardly looked fatal. However, at the midpoint of the match, our team was already down by 13. Kazakhstan reduced the gap several times, but the opponents regularly restored their advantage with accurate three-pointers. The final quarter was a complete failure for our guys.

Despite Kazakhstan's efforts, the final gap was 31 points – 78:109. The top scorer for Kazakhstan was Anton Bykov with 15 points. Abat Marat and Askar Maidekin each scored 12. Filipino Jerrick Ahanmisi brought 22 points to his team.

On September 14, our basketball players will face Bahrain. A win is necessary. But even that may not be enough to reach the playoffs. Quarterfinal berths, besides the two best teams of the quartet, will also be awarded to two of the three third-placed teams.

After two rounds, South Korea, Japan, and China have already advanced to the second stage.

🏀 SOUTH KOREA – SAUDI ARABIA 82:66, JAPAN – INDONESIA 98:53, INDONESIA – SOUTH KOREA 48:102, JAPAN – SAUDI ARABIA 86:80

  • 01South Korea – 4, 2. Japan – 4, 3. Saudi Arabia – 2, Indonesia – 2

🏀 IRAN – QATAR 53:59, JORDAN – CHINESE TAIPEI 80:83, CHINESE TAIPEI – IRAN 69:72, QATAR – JORDAN 65:76

  • 01Jordan – 3, 2. Chinese Taipei – 3, 3. Iran – 3, Qatar – 3

🏀 CHINA – KAZAKHSTAN 99:61, PHILIPPINES – BAHRAIN 85:89, BAHRAIN – CHINA 59:105, KAZAKHSTAN – PHILIPPINES 78:109

  • 01China – 4, 2. Bahrain – 3, 3. Philippines – 3, Kazakhstan – 2

The official opening of the Games will take place on September 19. The next day, the final and the 3rd place match in classic men's 5x5 basketball will be played. In addition, the Games program includes a women's 5x5 tournament, as well as men's and women's 3x3 competitions.

The XX Summer Asian Games will be held in the Japanese city of Nagoya from September 19 to October 4. In the multi-sport event with athletes from 45 countries, 460 sets of medals will be awarded. 217 – among men, 204 – among women, and 39 – in mixed categories. Tournaments will be held in 68 disciplines across 41 sports.

More than 500 athletes will represent Kazakhstan at the 2026 Asian Games.