The basketball team representing the Philippines has secured a place in the semi-finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) despite suffering a narrow defeat to Georgia, with a final score of 94-96. This achievement is based on the team’s superior points difference in comparison to Georgia, who, unfortunately, will be exiting the competition despite their victory.
The Philippines, alongside hosts Latvia, have emerged as the two qualifiers from Group A, thus securing slots in the semi-finals. The absence of Kai Sotto due to injury at halftime in Riga resulted in Justin Brownlee stepping up for the Gilas Filipinas, emerging as the top scorer of the match with 28 points and eight rebounds. On the opposing side, Georgia’s Alexander Mamukelashvili also delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 26 points and achieving three steals.
The game began with Georgia taking the lead in the opening quarter, benefitting from an additional day of rest and securing a 16-0 advantage, led by Goga Bitadze’s powerful dunks. As the match progressed, the Philippines gradually narrowed the gap, even amidst concerns when star player Sotto suffered a fall and had Bitadze land on top of him. The score stood at 26-27 in the second quarter, breathing new life into the Gilas Filipinas as they headed into halftime.
During the third quarter, the Philippines regained momentum, with Carl Tamayo’s fadeaway jump shot levelling the score in the Latvian capital. The lead fluctuated back and forth, ultimately resulting in a tie as the teams entered the final quarter. Although Georgia emerged victorious on the day, the Philippines managed to keep the deficit low enough to secure their spot in the final four.
Looking ahead, the Philippines will face one of Montenegro, Brazil, or Cameroon in the semi-finals. This brings the Gilas Filipinas one step closer to a historic return to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, marking their first appearance in 52 years.
As the participation of athletes in the Paris Games is contingent upon their National Olympic Committee (NOC) selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024, the Philippines continues to remain hopeful. For those interested in following the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024, the games will be available for live streaming through FIBA’s streaming platform, Courtside 1891, with potential blackouts in certain regions. Additionally, fans in the Philippines can catch the action on One Sports, One Sports+, and through the Pilipinas Live app.
The Philippines’ advancements in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament serve as a source of pride for the nation and a testament to the team’s skill and determination. As they continue on their journey towards Paris 2024, the future looks promising for the Gilas Filipinas.