FIVE -time champion United States and 2019 winner Spain will set out as the overwhelming favorites when the second round of the FIBA World Cup 2023 resumes in Manila, Okinawa and Jakarta on Friday.

The United States, swept its three assignments in Group C, will continue their drive for a sixth title when they battle Group D runner-up Montenegro starting 4:40 p.m. atthe Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The star-studded American team demolished Jordan, 110-62, behind Anthony Edwards’s 22 points and eight rebounds to complete a three-game sweep of Group C.

Bobby Portis addd 13 points, Jalen Brunson added 10 points and Mikal Bridges contributed nine points for the Steve Kerr-mentored Americans, who also won over New Zealand, 99-72, and Greece, 109-81.

Spain, on the other hand, will also resume its title-retention campaign when it meets Group H second-placer Latvia at 5:45 p.m. at the Jakarta Arena in Indonesia.

The Spaniards completed a three-game sweep in Group G following an 85-65 victory at the Jakarta Arena.

Leading Spain’s chareg were Juancho Hernangomez (21 points), Willy Hernandgomez (16 points), and Santiago Aldama (11 points, eight rebounds).

In other second-round action, it will be Group B frontrunner Serbia against Group A runner-up Italy and Group A topnotcher Dominican Republic against Group B runner-up Puerto Rico at the Smart Araneta Coliseum; Group E leader Germany against Group F second placer Georgia and Group F winner Slovenia against Group E second placer Australia at the Okinawa Arena; Group D victor Lithuania against Group C second placer Greece atthe Mall of Asia Arena; and Group H champion Canada against Group G runnerup Brazil at Jakarta Arena.

The 16 other teams which failed to make the cut after the preliminary round will continue to play for 17th to 32nd places.

Among these teams are co-hosts Philippines and Japan and Asian heavyweight China.

The Japanese have a 1-2 record in the first round.

The Filipinos and the Chinese went 0-3.

The 19th edition of the FIBA Wold Cup is scheduled from Aug. 25-Sept. 10.