TEHRAN – With two games remaining, Iran national basketball team advanced to the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Team Melli defeated the Philippines 78-70 in Group F of the Asian Qualifiers on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Iranians, who entered the game on a two-game losing skid, played minus veteran stars Hamed Haddadi and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami.

But they simply showed tremendous focus to end their skid and regain the second spot in Group F with their 7-3 card.

Mohammad Jamshidi and Behnam Yakhchali scored 26 and 21 points, respectively, for Iran.

Jayson Castro led Gilas with 19 points, five rebounds and two assists. Naturalized big man Christian Standhardinger had 17 and 12 boards, while Marcio Lassiter, who had three triples in opening quarter, finished with 12.

Iran will host Japan and Australia on Feb. 21 and 24, respectively in Tehran.

The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 18th tournament of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for men's national basketball teams. The tournament will be hosted in China and it will mark a new era for the competition as described.