Gilas Pilipinas finishes second in Group A to remain on observe of ending a decades-long absence in Olympic basketball
MANILA, Philippines – It was a loss that someway felt very very like a win.
Gilas Pilipinas secured its place within the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Match in Riga, Latvia, regardless of a 96-94 defeat to Georgia on Thursday, July 4.
Coming off an upset of world No. 6 Latvia, the Philippines completed second in Group A with a 1-1 card to remain on observe of ending a decades-long absence in Olympic basketball because it final competed within the 1972 Munich Video games.
Justin Brownlee put the staff on his again anew with 28 factors, 8 rebounds, and eight assists because the Nationals shook off a rusty begin that noticed them path by as many as 20 factors to hitch high seed Latvia within the last 4.
Georgia, dealt an 83-55 beating from Latvia, wanted to win by no less than 19 factors to advance to the semifinals, however the Philippines fought again due to regular performances from CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, and Chris Newsome.
Ramos churned out 16 factors, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Perez fired 14 factors on an ideal 6-of-6 clip off the bench, and Newsome chimed in 13 factors, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds.
Additionally toting a 1-1 report, Georgia cast a three-way tie in Group A, however Latvia and the Philippines reached the knockout stage owing to their superior level differential.
“I simply actually wish to praise our guys, they went down 20 and it may have been a simple panic time,” mentioned Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone. “They labored their means again into the sport.”
“They actually confirmed their resilience.”
Down 93-96 with 14 seconds remaining, the Filipinos had been inside placing distance to drive additional time, however they opted for a loss to disclaim the Georgians an opportunity to pad their lead within the additional interval.
In a weird finish, Newsome made the primary of his two free throws then deliberately missed the second in a bid to expire the clock solely to witness Goga Bitadze attempt to make an personal aim.
Bitadze, nonetheless, noticed his try clank off the rim.
“We had a possibility to shoot a 3 on the finish to attempt to get this into additional time, however we simply felt we didn’t wish to give them a possibility to attempt to prolong the lead into additional time,” mentioned Cone.
Getting a much-needed break after enjoying two video games on back-to-back days, the Philippines prepares for an additional struggle in opposition to the highest seed from Group B, which consists of Brazil, Montenegro, and Cameroon.
Bitadze, who performs for the Orlando Magic, tallied 21 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas fellow NBA participant Sandro Mamukelashvili of the San Antonio Spurs posted 26 factors, 7 rebounds, and three steals within the win.
The Scores
Georgia 96 – Mamukelashvili 26, Bitadze 21, Shengelia 17, Thomasson 14, Sanadze 13, Andronikashvili 5, Jintcharadze 0, Korsantia 0, Ochikhikidze 0, Londaridze 0.
Philippines 94 – Brownlee 28, Ramos 16, Perez 14, Newsome 13, Tamayo 7, Fajardo 6, Sotto 4, Oftana 4, Aguilar 2, Quiambao 0.
Quarters: 28-17, 55-43, 74-74, 96-94.
– Rappler.com
