The Philippines’ Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Basketball Team is pushing for a top finish in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) to secure a berth for the 2024 Paris Summer Games. After its historic victory against Latvia, the Filipino squad next targets Georgia to gain a final four spot in the crossover finals for the lone berth to Paris.
Ranked World No. 37, the Filipino squad achieved a dominant 89-80 victory against World No. 6 Latvia in the Group A game on July 3 at Riga Arena.
Team Philippines marked a milestone at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament after Gilas Pilipinas Men @smartgilasph defeated hometown bet Latvia at the @FIBA OQT. Read more on @GoodNewsPinas_ https://t.co/qCEBfKZkbf
— Angie Quadra Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) July 4, 2024
This victory marks the first time in 64 years that the Philippines defeated a top European team in a FIBA tournament, with the last win against Spain in 1960.
Under the guidance of Coach Tim Cone, the Gilas Men led throughout the game, thwarting Latvia’s comeback attempts. Cone also led the team to victory at the Asian Games in Hangzhou and secured their first two wins at the Asia Cup qualifiers in February.
“Our country is so passionate about basketball. Pretty much everybody knows that by now. For us to be successful on the world stage really means a lot. This is a big huge step for us,” Tim Cone said in the post-game press conference.
Player of the Game Justin Brownlee scored 26 points, with 9 rebounds and 9 assists. NBA hopeful Kai Sotto contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds.
“I think the basketball world doesn’t give the Philippines much respect, and I think that’s our job to prove to the world that teams gotta respect us more,” Sotto said in an Olympics.com report. “We put the work in.”
WATCH the Philippines vs. Latvia FIBA OQT Game Highlights here:
Gilas aims to sweep its two Group A matches to earn a spot in the crossover final four semifinalists at the FIBA OQT. Only the top team will secure the Olympic quota for Paris. The Philippines last participated in the Olympic basketball event in Munich in 1972.
Next, the Philippines will face World No. 23 Georgia on July 4 at 8:30 PM, Philippine Standard Time (3:30 PM Eastern European Summer Time). Georgia lost heavily to Latvia, 55-83.
Watch the game live via:
- FIBA’s streaming platform Courtside 1891
- One Sports, One Sports+
- Pilipinas Live app
- Smart Livestream
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