China triumphed 78-67 to win their record 16th title two years ago, but found themselves on the backfoot in the opening half of the rematch in the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Beirut.

The Philippines outscored their opponents in the first two quarters to take a 53-39 lead at half-time in the match.

China responded impressively in the third quarter by scoring 31 points to their opponents' 23 to close the gap.

They were unable to complete a comeback as The Philippines, led by Terrence Romeo, secured a 96-87 victory to begin their Group B campaign in impressive fashion.

The second Group B match of the day saw Iraq secure a 75-66 victory over Qatar.

Iran, the three time winners of the tournament, eased past India in their first Group D match.

A dominant performance saw them emerge as 101-54 winners, with Arsalan Kazemi and Hamed Hadadi both scoring 20 points for the team.

Jordan edged Syria 68-66 in a highly competitive second Group D match.

The group phase is scheduled to conclude next Sunday (August 13) with the top team from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.

Teams that finish second and third in each group will face off in the "qualification to the quarter-finals" play-off games.

The final is due to take place on August 20.

The competition is the first to be contested since FIBA’s decision to remodel the event as an Asia-Oceania joint Continental Championship with 16 teams.